FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 14, 2016
Contact: Laramie Adams
Cell: 512-922-7328

Tahlequah, Okla. – A Tahlequah, Okla. man was arrested Tuesday and charged with embezzlement of 18 head of cattle that were placed in his care by a local rancher.

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Ranger John Cummings led the investigation along with TSCRA Special Ranger Bart Perrier.

According to Cummings, the suspect Walter F. “Andy” Andrews, 44, Tahlequah, Okla. was caring for the victim’s cattle from February 2015 to May 2015. The suspect was grazing the cattle on land he was leasing in Cherokee County. Andrews allegedly removed the cattle from the pasture and sold them at local sale barns without the owner’s permission.

During the time the cattle were cared for by Andrews, attempts to view and count the cattle were delayed or impeded. The investigation revealed Andrews sold the cattle in his name and kept proceeds in excess of $25,000 for his personal use. Andrews was arrested by Cummings and booked into the Cherokee County Jail. Andrew’s bond on the felony warrant was set at $10,000.

“This case serves as a reminder for ranchers to remain diligent in seeing and accurately counting their cattle on a regular basis, especially if they are being cared for and grazed on someone else’s property,” said Cummings.

TSCRA would like to thank Undersheriff Jason Chennault and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance during this investigation.

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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.