FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sept. 15, 2015
Contact: Laramie Adams
Cell: 512-922-7328 

Cleburne, Texas – A Cleburne, Texas man was arrested Monday on two separate third degree felony theft of livestock charges after trying to pay for cattle at two different livestock auctions on a closed bank account.

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Ranger Marvin Wills led the investigation and Special Ranger Wayne Goodman assisted.

According to Wills, the suspect James E. Williams, 26, of Cleburne, Texas, purchased livestock from two McLennan County livestock auctions and issued checks for the cattle on a closed bank account in August 2015.

The McLennan County Justice of the Peace issued two third degree felony warrants for the arrest of Williams on Sept. 10. Special Ranger Wayne Goodman arrested Williams Tuesday and the suspect is currently being held in the Johnson County Jail on two bonds set at $10,000 for each theft of livestock charge. Additional charges are expected to be filed on Williams.

If convicted, Williams will face 2-10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and he will be ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.

“This case is a good example of TSCRA Special Rangers working with local law enforcement to arrest another thief and seek justice for ranchers who fall victim to cattle theft,” said Wills. “I expect additional charges to be filed in this case and I hope to see a strong sentence handed down for Williams.”

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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 138-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.