For Immediate Release: May 3, 2013
Contact: Carmen Fenton, 512-673-3906

Poteau, Okla. – A Poteau, Okla., man was arrested Thursday by Special Ranger Bart Perrier on a warrant for four counts of Larceny of Livestock.

Kevin Lyle Hanna, 50, was charged with allegedly stealing four commercial cows that were branded and ear-notched from his neighbor in February 2013.

While investigating, Perrier found sale records at the Fort Smith Stockyards in Fort Smith, Ark., indicating that Hanna had sold 4 cows matching the description of the stolen cows. Perrier tracked down the stolen cattle and confirmed they belonged to the victim and were sold by Hanna.

“We would have never been able to positively identify these cows and charge the suspect if the owner hadn’t branded them,” said Perrier. “This is a prime example of why it is so important to brand your cattle.”

Hanna is currently jailed at the LeFlore County jail on a $12,000 bond.  If convicted, he could face up to ten years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

The investigation was conducted in cooperation with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and LaFlore County Deputy Sheriff Paul Cole.

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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 136 year-old trade association and is the largest and oldest livestock organization based in Texas. TSCRA has more than 16,000 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.