For Immediate Release: Aug. 30 , 2012
Contact: Carmen Fenton, 512-469-0171

Houston – A joint investigation between the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) and the Lufkin Police Department has led to the arrest of a La Marque, Texas, man charged with felony livestock theft and felony credit card abuse in Angelina County.

Jason Todd Miller, 38, was arrested Wednesday by Galveston County authorities in Houston. In March 2012, Miller allegedly purchased a $4,500 horse from a horse sale in Lufkin. The account number on the check Miller used to make the payment was from a closed account. On the same day, Miller also purchased a saddle and tack from a vendor using a bad credit card.

According to TSCRA Special Ranger Larry Hand, the Galveston County Pct. 8 Constable’s office was contacted to help locate Miller. Authorities tracked Miller through 3 Galveston County cities before arresting him in the Houston area. Miller was additionally charged on 3 other outstanding felony theft warrants, one each from Houston County, Matagorda County and Orange County.

Miller was on probation in Galveston County when the crimes were committed. A motion to revoke his probation is expected, which would send Miller to state prison.

“TSCRA is appreciative of the cooperation between all the agencies that helped locate and arrest the suspect,” Hand said. “Because of the interagency cooperation we were able to charge and arrest a long time con artist with a lengthy history of theft. The victims of these crimes will now have their day in court and a chance for restitution.”

Miller is currently in custody at the Houston Police Department Central Jail, but is expected to be transferred back to Angelina County.

TSCRA would like to thank Lufkin Police Detective John Petty for his help with the investigation and Galveston County Deputy Ross McCammon and Texas Highway Patrol Trooper Adrian Garza for making the arrest.

###

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 135 year-old trade association and is the largest and oldest livestock organization based in Texas. TSCRA has more than 15,000 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.