• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

To Honor and Protect the Ranching Way of Life

  • Who We Are
    • Why Join
    • Leadership
    • Staff
    • TSCRA Partners
    • FAQs
    • Newsroom
    • Sponsorships
    • Employment
  • What We Do
    • Theft and Law
    • Issues and Policy
    • Education
    • Young Cattle Raisers
    • The Cattleman Magazine
    • Disaster Relief Fund
    • Cattle Raisers Insurance
    • Cattle Raisers Trading Co
  • Events
    • Cattle Raisers Convention
    • Summer Meeting
    • Policy Conference
    • Ranch Gatherings
    • Ranching 101
  • Member Center
    • Join
    • Renew
    • Instructions
  • TSCRA Store
  • Show Search
Hide Search

12 Year Sentence Handed Down in 2016 Cattle Theft

TYLER, Texas — Jeremie Del Ral Ford, 30, was sentenced today following his conviction earlier this month on charges of theft of livestock.
The charges were the result of an investigation led by Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Ranger Larry Hand. Hand was assisted in the investigation by TSCRA Special Ranger Jimmy Dickson as well as the Smith County Sheriff’s Office.
The saga began in October 2016, when three cows were reported stolen from a ranch in eastern Smith County. TSCRA Special Rangers quickly located two of the stolen animals, which had been sold at a local livestock auction. The seller was identified as Ford. Hand also recovered a feed sack at the crime scene that he traced to an Arp, Texas feed store. The feed store was able to provide an invoice that further linked Ford to the crime. It was also noted that Ford had only purchased equine feed and supplies from the store prior to purchasing the one unique bag of cattle feed shortly before the theft. It is believed he used the feed to entice the cattle and facilitate their removal from the pasture.
With substantial evidence connecting Ford to the theft, a felony arrest warrant was issued by a Smith County judge. Ford was arrested by the Kilgore Police Department on Feb. 24, 2017 and later transferred to the Smith County Jail where he was arraigned on March 2, 2017. Ford was subsequently convicted of theft of livestock less than $150,000 by a Smith County jury on May 3, 2018. He remained in custody on a $300,000 bond until today’s sentencing.
Today, Judge Kerry L. Russell handed down a sentence of 12 years in prison and more than $4,000 in restitution to the victims. The punishment was enhanced to a second-degree felony due to Ford’s prior felony convictions. Ford was remanded to the custody of the Texas Department of Corrections and will receive credit for time served.
“I am extremely grateful for the commitment and dedication of local law enforcement, the skillful presentation of evidence by the felony prosecutors and all those responsible for bringing this case to a close, including the state’s witnesses and jurors,” said Hand. “The sentence handed down today sends a clear message to the bad guys that cattle theft will not be tolerated by this community.”
Hand added that one or two additional suspects are believed to be involved with theft, but authorities have not yet obtained enough evidence to bring charges. Anyone with information that could aid in further convictions is urged to call the TSCRA Operation Cow Thief hotline at (888) 830-2333 or Special Ranger Larry Hand at (903) 592-5252. All information is kept confidential and tips may be provided anonymously.
On behalf of all cattle raisers, TSCRA would like to thank Special Ranger Larry Hand, Special Ranger Jimmy Dickson, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Kilgore Police Department, Smith County District Attorney’s Office, especially prosecutors Richard Vance and Heath Chamness, Judge Kerry L. Russell and all those in the community that came forward to provide valuable evidence.
###

Written by:
Jeremy Fuchs
Published on:
May 25, 2018

Categories: News Releases, Theft & Law

Recent Posts

Texas, Oklahoma weekly livestock auction summaries for Feb. 3

February 3, 2023

Texas Compared to last week's light run due to snow: Feeder steers and heifers sold steady to …

Continue Reading about Texas, Oklahoma weekly livestock auction summaries for Feb. 3

U.S. drought monitor and summary report for Jan. 31

February 3, 2023

This week's drought summary Winter storms brought heavy rain and snow much of the eastern U.S. …

Continue Reading about U.S. drought monitor and summary report for Jan. 31

Texas ranch receives Regional Environmental Stewardship Award

February 2, 2023

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced today that Parks Ranch in Goliad County, …

Continue Reading about Texas ranch receives Regional Environmental Stewardship Award

Footer

Who We Are

Why Join
Leadership
Staff
TSCRA Partners
FAQs
Newsroom
Sponsorships
Employment

What We Do

Theft and Law
Issues and Policy
Education
Young Cattle Raisers
The Cattleman Magazine
Cattle Raisers Insurance
Cattle Raisers Trading Co.
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Information

Cattle Raisers Blog
News Releases
Bereavements
Events
Media Kit
Tip Hotline
Get Involved
Links

Membership

Membership Center
Membership Center Instructions
Join
Renew
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

PO BOX 101988
FORT WORTH, TX 76185

1-800-242-7820

© 2023 Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association; All Rights Reserved.

COPYRIGHT | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE