For Immediate Release: March 23, 2011
Contact: Carmen Fenton, 512-469-0171
TRINITY, TEXAS – The third suspect involved in a Houston County cattle theft was arrested by Trinity County authorites late Tuesday. Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Ranger Brent Mast led the investigation with the help of the Grimes, Trinity and Houston county sheriff’s offices.
Jeffery Stewart, 42, was charged with third degree felony theft after allegedly stealing 13 head of cattle from a rancher in Houston County. He was arrested by the Trinity Police Department and posted bond of $25,000.
Stewart was accompained by Michael Dunn, 28, and Qutentin Moss, 28. Moss was arrested on March 3. Dunn was taken into custody after turning himself in on March 11. Both men posted bond of $15,000 on March 11.
The investigation was sparked by Greg Goudeau, the owner of the Navasota Livestock Auction. He reported suspicious activity from three men trying to sell 13 head of cattle. Goudeau’s observations led authorities to the supspects. The cattle were traced back to a rancher outside of Lovelady.
All 13 head of cattle were recovered and returned to the owner.
“Thanks to the help of Mr. Goudeau and the Houston, Trinity and Grimes county sheriffs’ offices, we were able to recover the cattle quickly and return them back the owner,” said Mast.
Stealing cattle is a third degree felony in Texas. If convicted, each suspect could face up to 10 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
For a picture of the suspect, please contact Carmen Fenton at [email protected].
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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.
The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is a 134-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.