FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jan. 19, 2016
CONTACT: Laramie Adams
CELL: 512-922-7328

Eastland, Texas – A Cisco, Texas man was arrested Jan. 12 for felony theft of livestock after stealing a horse from a rancher in Mason County, Texas.

This investigation was led by Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Rangers Mike Barr and Wayne Goodman. TSCRA Special Ranger Gary Baros assisted with the investigation.

Barr said he met with the victim in Mason County to discuss the theft of a horse, worth approximately $15,000. Barr investigated the case until leads revealed the suspect, Bradley Williams, 49, was located at his mother’s residence in Cisco, Texas.

After making several attempts to locate and interview the suspect, Goodman eventually made contact with Williams in Cisco, Texas on Nov. 17, 2015. During an interview, Williams told Goodman that his ex-wife was awarded the horse as part of a divorce settlement, and his son had been using the horse to rope on at the Youth Finals Rodeo.

The investigation revealed that Williams had claimed ownership of the horse and had sold part ownership to three different victims; however, Williams actually never owned the horse.

After receiving a warrant from the Mason County Sheriff’s Department, Goodman located Williams again on Jan. 12 in Cisco, Texas. Goodman advised the suspect that a warrant had been issued for his arrest for the offense of theft of livestock less than $100,000. Goodman arrested Williams and transported him to the Eastland County Jail where he was held on a $20,000 bond.

The horse was located in Victoria, Texas and was returned to the victim in Mason County.

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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.