1-800-242-7820 | Contact Us
Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers
Navigation
  • Who We Are
    • Why Join TSCRA
    • Leadership
    • Staff
    • TSCRA FAQ
    • Allied Members
    • Newsroom
    • Sponsorship
    • Employment
  • What We Do
    • Theft & Law
    • Issues and Policy
    • Education
    • Young Cattle Raisers
    • Young Leadership Series
    • Cattle Raisers Insurance
    • The Cattleman Magazine
    • Cattle Raisers Trading Company
  • Events
  • Join
  • Renew

Bonds Soars to More Than $4.25 Million for Cattle Theft Suspect

William "Willie" Rittenbaugh

William “Willie” Rittenbaugh

HILLSBORO, Texas — William “Willie” Rittenbaugh, 47, of Mount Calm, is behind bars in Hill County awaiting trial on five felony counts with bonds in excess of $4.25 million. The charges stem from five separate cases under investigation by Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Ranger Marvin Wills and the Hill County Sheriff’s Office.

Rittenbaugh’s legal troubles began in May 2018 when a Hill County rancher accused him of stealing 11 head of cattle. The missing animals were found in Rittenbaugh’s possession, seized and returned to the owner. Rittenbaugh was charged with third-degree felony theft of livestock.

In September, Wills was contacted by another rancher who stated Rittenbaugh failed to deliver on an agreement he made to manage more than 1,000 head of cattle and split the profits from their sale. The investigation into that case led to a first-degree felony misapplication of fiduciary property charge. He was then charged with third-degree felony theft of livestock in Limestone County in connection to a horse theft and released from custody on a $5,000 bond.

Rittenbaugh was out on bond when he was arrested by Hill County Sheriff’s Deputies Dec. 30, 2018, for the theft of 72 head of cattle from another Hill County victim. His bond was set at $1 million in that case, and it was turned over to Wills to continue the investigation. After the latest arrest, State District Judge Lee Harris increased his two previous Hill County bonds to $1.25 million and $1.5 million respectively.

On Jan. 15, 2019, Wills secured another arrest warrant for second-degree felony misappropriation of fiduciary property. Rittenbaugh’s bond, in that case, was set at half-a-million dollars, bringing the total to $4,255,000.

If anyone has additional information that could help investigators or has been a victim of Rittenbaugh they are urged to contact the Hill County Sheriff’s Office at (254) 582-5313 or TSCRA Special Ranger Marvin Wills at (254) 223-2330. Information can also be provided anonymously through TSCRA’s Operation Cow Thief and individuals may be eligible for a cash reward if the information leads to an arrest or indictment.

Special Ranger Wills would like to thank Hill County Chief Deputy R.D. White, Hill County Criminal Investigator Kyle Nevil, the Hill County District Attorney’s Office, especially District Attorney Mark Pratt, and the Limestone County District Attorney’s Office, especially District Attorney Roy Defriend for their assistance in the cases.

###

January 29, 2019 / News Releases, Special Ranger Activity, The Cattleman Now - App, The Cattleman Now - TSCRA, Theft & Law

Share the Post

Related Posts

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Offers Free Cattlemen’s Field Day in Mount Pleasant
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Offers Free Cattlemen’s Field Day in Lamar County
Pasture Management Field Day held in Tillman County, Okla. This Week
TSCRA Special Ranger Organizes Starr County Livestock Rescue
TSCRA Teams Up With Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Beef Council to Offer Free Beef Quality Training in Vernon
Free Cattle Raiser Dinner and Gathering in Abilene Features Cattle Theft Prevention and Legislative Discussions
Harrison County Man Arrested on Felony Theft and Insurance Fraud Charges
Transmission Line Seminars Offer Information and Options for Landowners

Archives

CONNECT WITH TSCRA:

CONNECT WITH TSCRA:

Who we are
WHY JOIN TSCRA?
LEADERSHIP
STAFF
ALLIED MEMBERS
TSCRA FAQ
SPONSORSHIPS
EMPLOYMENT

What we do
THEFT AND LAW
ISSUES AND POLICY
EDUCATION
YOUNG CATTLE RAISERS
The CATTLEMAN MAGAZINE
CATTLEMAN NOW APP
CATTLE RAISERS INSURANCE
CATTLE RAISERS TRADING CO.

1301 W. SEVENTH STREET
SUITE 201
FORT WORTH, TX 76102
1-800-242-7820

Information
TSCRA NEWS RELEASES
EVENTS CALENDAR
TEXAS BRAND SEARCH
5 STEPS TO GET INVOLVED
MEDIA/PRESS KIT
LINKS

Membership
JOIN/RENEW

OPERATION COW THIEF HOTLINE

© 2021 Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association; All Rights Reserved.
COPYRIGHT | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE