FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MAY 7, 2015
CONTACT: Laramie Adams
Cell: 512-922-7328

Pawhuska, Okla. – A Fairfax, Okla., man was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison on Wed. after pleading guilty to stealing seven head of cattle from the Bledsoe Ranch, located near Ralston, Okla., on Dec. 18, 2014.  

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Ranger Bart Perrier led the investigation. TSCRA Special Ranger John Cummings and Osage County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Doug Elliot assisted during the investigation. 

According to Perrier, the suspect, Garrett Mitchell Gibson, 27, of Fairfax, Okla. stole a total of seven head of cows from the Bledsoe Ranch, located in the Big Bend area near Ralston, Okla., on three different occasions. The investigation revealed that the cattle were sold at three different livestock markets in North-central Oklahoma. The cattle had all been sold and transported out of the area and could not be recovered.   

On Wed. Gibson pleaded guilty to larceny of livestock and was sentenced to ten years in prison. He was ordered to serve two years in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, and he will be on probation for the remaining eight years. Additionally, he is required to pay $20,000 in restitution to the victim.  

“This case is a great example of TSCRA Special Rangers working with local authorities to seek justice for ranchers who have unfortunately been victims of cattle theft,” said Perrier. “I encourage all ranchers to always brand and keep a close watch on their cattle. These precautions serve as the best defense against cattle theft.”   

TSCRA would like to thank the Osage County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance with this investigation.   

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TSCRA has 30 special rangers stationed strategically throughout Texas and Oklahoma who have in-depth knowledge of the cattle industry and are trained in all facets of law enforcement. All are commissioned as Special Rangers by the Texas Department of Public Safety and/or the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. 

TSCRA is a 138-year-old trade association and is the largest and oldest livestock organization based in Texas. TSCRA has more than 16,500 beef cattle operations, ranching families and businesses as members. These members represent approximately 50,000 individuals directly involved in ranching and beef production who manage 4 million head of cattle on 76 million acres of range and pasture land primarily in Texas and Oklahoma, but throughout the Southwest.