ENID, Okla. — Michael Jay Perschbacher, 56, of Sulphur, Okla. was arrested in Garfield County last week on a warrant for Larceny of Domestic Animals. The charges and subsequent arrest are the result of an investigation conducted by Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers (TSCRA) Special Ranger Brett Wellden.

In late November 2016, Wellden received a call from Northwest Stockyards in reference to a subject purchasing sheep, but failing to provide payment. The suspect was identified as Perschbacher, who on Sept. 12, 2016, purchased 48 head of mixed sheep worth more than $7,000. He loaded the sheep on his trailer, and left without paying. The victim, Northwest Stockyards, attempted to contact Perschbacher numerous times without success before turning over the case to TSCRA’s Special Rangers.

Special Ranger Wellden also attempted to contact Perschbacher on multiple occasions. In one instance the suspect answered his phone, but hurriedly left the conversation after Wellden explained the reason for the call. Unable to reach the suspect and remedy the situation, Wellden filed criminal charges and an arrest warrant was issued by the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office. Perschbacher was subsequently arrested by Garfield County Sheriff’s Deputies. He now stands accused of violating Oklahoma State Statute 21 O.S. 1541, Obtaining by Trick/Deception, for leaving the auction market without paying.

“It is important to remain vigilant, as livestock theft can occur by many different means; it is not always someone sneaking onto your property in the middle night,” said Special Ranger Wellden. “I would like to thank the Garfield County District Attorney’s Office for their attention to this case, and dedication to ensuring livestock thefts in their jurisdiction are prosecuted to fullest extent possible.”

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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 140-year-old trade association and is the largest and oldest livestock organization based in Texas. TSCRA has more than 17,500 beef cattle operations, ranching families and businesses as members. These members represent approximately 55,000 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.

For more TSCRA news releases, visit tscra.org.