TSCRA News Release: Burlington Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Cattle Theft
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 25, 2016
CONTACT: Laramie Adams
Cell: 512-922-7328
Cameron, Texas – A Milam County judge today sentenced William James Crenan, 59, Burlington, Texas, to 15 years in prison for stealing over 100 head of cattle from an El Paso, Texas rancher who was running cattle on Crenan’s pasture in northern Milam County. Crenan was also ordered to pay $575,922 in restitution to the victim.
This case was investigated by (TSCRA) Special Rangers Marvin Wills and Hal Dumas in cooperation with the Milam County Sheriff’s Office.
The theft occurred on or around May 14, 2013. On May 6, 2016 the defendant was found guilty of theft of $100,000 to $200,000 from an elderly person, which is a 1st degree felony. The week-long jury trial was held in the 20th District Court in Cameron, Texas with Judge John Youngblood presiding. John Graves Redington, Milam County Assistant County and District Attorney, prosecuted the case for the State and was very pleased with the outcome.
“TSCRA and I would like to thank Judge John Youngblood, John Redington and authorities with the Milam County Sheriff’s office for working closely with us throughout this investigation,” said Wills. “Thanks to these efforts, another cattle thief has been handed a strong sentence and justice prevailed for this victim.”
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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 139-year-old trade association and is the largest and oldest livestock organization based in Texas. TSCRA has more than 17,000 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.