• 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

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

Gatesville man arrested for cattle theft

Defendant confessed to selling $50,000 worth of stolen cattle
A 40-year-old Gatesville man was arrested Saturday for selling 46 head of a former client’s cattle, worth $50,000. Christopher D. Cockrell began running cattle for the victim, a Bangs man, in the spring of 2016. Over time, the victim grew suspicious. He demanded Cockrell gather and sell his cattle for him and terminate their business relationship. Cockrell never gathered the cattle.
The victim reached out to Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Marvin Wills, who initiated an investigation on December 4 that proved wrongdoing. Cockrell then confessed to selling the victim’s cattle by private treaty and keeping the proceeds.
Wills secured an arrest warrant for the theft of livestock charge, a third-degree felony. On Saturday, Cockrell was stopped by a Texas state trooper for a traffic violation and taken into custody on Wills’ warrant. He was released on Sunday after posting a $7,500 bond.
Wills said cases like this are not uncommon.
“Cattle raisers need to make sure they know the credibility of the person or persons taking care of their cattle,” he warned.  “Check their references. And once you form a partnership, keep good records of inventory on hand and visually inspect your cattle on a regular basis.”

Written by:
Kristin Hawkins
Published on:
December 21, 2020

Categories: News Releases, The Cattleman Now, The Cattleman Now - App, Theft & Law

Recent Posts

Texas cattle raisers applaud passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill

July 3, 2025

AUSTIN, Texas (July 3, 2025) — Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association President Carl …

Continue Reading about Texas cattle raisers applaud passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill

Website launched to support producers, landowners and wildlife managers navigate New World screwworm

July 3, 2025

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association assisted in the launch of a new website to …

Continue Reading about Website launched to support producers, landowners and wildlife managers navigate New World screwworm

Crime watch: Two cows missing in Concho County

July 1, 2025

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger HD Brittain, District 19 in West …

Continue Reading about Crime watch: Two cows missing in Concho County

Footer

Who We Are

Why Join
Leadership
Staff
Partners
FAQs
Newsroom
Sponsorships
Employment

What We Do

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

Information

Cattle Raisers Blog
News Releases
Bereavements
Events
Sponsorships & Advertisement
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