Bristow man sentenced in Creek County cattle theft

Charles Edward Roby III, 21, of Bristow, Okla., was sentenced on May 25, 2017, after pleading guilty to three counts of Larceny of Livestock. The charges and subsequent conviction are the result of an investigation conducted by TSCRA Special Rangers Bart Perrier and Brett Wellden.
In late 2015, Roby, along with a co-conspirator, began stealing cattle and selling them at livestock auction markets in Bristow, Okmulgee and Oklahoma City. 24 head of cattle were stolen from three separate victims in the Depew and Milfay areas. In May of 2016 they revisited one of their previous victims, this time stealing 10 cows and one bull. Roby sold these cattle at the Oklahoma National Stockyards in Oklahoma City, but the victim had recently branded his cattle, resulting in their rapid recovery and the identification of the perpetrators. Perrier filed criminal charges in the District Court of Creek County and Roby was taken into custody on July 25, 2016.
“It is important for ranchers to know that branding their cattle is one of the best steps they can take to protect against theft,” said Special Ranger Perrier. “In this case and many others, a brand is vital for law enforcement to quickly identify stolen animals and apprehend the thieves.”
In connection to the thefts, Roby was given a seven-and-a-half-year deferred sentence. He was also ordered to pay more than $92,000 in restitution to the three victims, serve 60 days in the Creek County Jail and pay a $350 fine, along with various court costs. If he violates the terms of his deferred sentence or fails to pay restitution, he could face up to 30 years in prison.
Roby’s co-defendant, Frankie Lane Hunt of Depew, Okla., is set for a plea or pre-trial hearing at 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 30, 2017, in the District Court of Creek County.