Mason man arrested in livestock theft case

A Mason County man was arrested on a theft charge March 10 as a result of an investigation by TSCRA Special Ranger Marvin C. Wills.
In October 2015, the suspect, Jim H. Schmidt, 34, of Mason, purchased sheep and goats from a Hamilton sale barn. The livestock were paid for with a bad check that totaled more than $46,000. A warrant for Schmidt’s arrest was issued as a result of the investigation. Special Ranger Wills caught up to Schmidt in Goldthwaite last Thursday and took him into custody. He was booked into the Mills County Jail and later released on a $50,000 bond.
Schmidt is facing a third degree felony, punishable by two to 10 years in state prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
“This arrest has been several years in the making, and just goes to show our relentless pursuit of livestock thieves here in Texas,” said Wills.