For Immediate Release
Sept. 8, 2010
Contact: Carmen Fenton
512-469-0171|512-673-3906
MARLIN, TEXAS – A McLennan County man was arrested Thursday for the theft of four head of cattle in Falls County. Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Ranger Marvin Willis and the Falls County Sheriff’s Department investigated the cases.
Stepphen W. Haralson, 21, allegedly stole four head of cattle from a rancher in Falls County. After being reported stolen, the cattle were positively identified at the West Auction in West, Texas after Wills contacted TSCRA Market Inspector Ray Davis who was at the auction inspecting cattle.
Wills later identified Haralson as the person who consigned the stolen cattle to the West Auction.
The cattle were recovered and returned to the owner.
Haralson was held at the Falls County jail in Marlin, Texas. He bonded out on bail of $5,000.
Theft of four head of cattle is a third degree felony. If convicted, Haralson could face up to ten years in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine.
TSCRA has 29 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 market inspectors aid the special rangers by collecting brands and other identifying marks on 4 to 5 million cattle sold at 115 Texas livestock markets each year.
Market inspectors report their findings to TSCRA’s Fort Worth headquarters, where the information is entered into the nation’s largest brand recording and retrieval system. This database is the first source checked when a special ranger receives a theft call.
The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is a 133-year-old trade organization. As the largest and oldest livestock association in Texas, TSCRA represents more than 15,000 beef cattle producers, ranching families and businesses who manage approximately 4 million head of cattle on 51.5 million acres of range and pasture land, primarily in Texas and Oklahoma. TSCRA provides law enforcement and livestock inspection services, legislative and regulatory advocacy, industry news and information, insurance services and educational opportunities for its members and the industry.
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