• 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

Rancher indicted for theft of neighbor’s cow

Hudspeth County man faces third degree felony charges for branding animal that wasn’t his
In the fall of 2019, ranch hands were gathering a bull when they noticed something out of place. One of their employer’s cows was freshly branded, with someone else’s brand.
It wasn’t the first time this had occurred, and the victim reached out to the Hudspeth County Sheriff’s Office for help. Deputy Sheriff Robert Newman called Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Clay McKinney for assistance.
Through their investigation, Newman and McKinney discovered the cow did in fact have a fresh brand on her left hip. McKinney explained he knew it was a fresh brand because after cattle are branded, the hide where the brand is applied begins to heal which results in a brand scabbing over and peeling. Once the brand successfully scabs over and peals it leaves a permanent scar on the hide of the animal. The brand was a backwards F connected to a M and a L, registered to Felipe Lopez, the victim’s neighbor.
On the right side, the cow had a much older brand that was registered to the victim. The cow had also been given an earmark used by Lopez. In an interview with Felipe and his wife, Eva, the couple admitted that was their brand and ear mark and “there was no excuse.” They offered payment for the cow, but the victim chose to pursue criminal charges.
According to a report from Newman, similar complaints have been made against the Lopezes six times since 2016.
The investigators presented the case to the El Paso District Attorney’s Office and Felipe Lopez was indicted. He now faces third degree felony charges of theft of livestock.
McKinney said cases like this are a good reminder to observe your cattle carefully and frequently — and to know your neighbors.
“A brand is still the best defense we have against livestock theft,” he said, “And fortunately the rightful owner discovered the fresh brand before it was too late.”

Written by:
Kristin Hawkins
Published on:
January 20, 2021

Categories: News Releases

Recent Posts

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

Crime watch: Heifers missing in Cherokee County

June 30, 2025

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Darrell Bobbitt, District 14 in …

Continue Reading about Crime watch: Heifers missing in Cherokee County

Crime watch: Saddlebred mare missing in Cooke County

June 30, 2025

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Randolph McGee, District 11 in …

Continue Reading about Crime watch: Saddlebred mare missing in Cooke 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