Special Rangers make arrest in cattle, trailer theft case

TSCRADaily News Update, August 5, 2008

Special Rangers make arrest in cattle, trailer theft case

With the help of a team of local authorities, TSCRA Special Rangers Jimmy Belt and Brent Mast arrested Michael David Terry, 41, of Livingston, last week on charges of livestock theft, a third degree felony; trailer theft, a state jail felony; and three counts of cruelty to animals, Class A misdemeanors.

The suspect allegedly cut the chain and lock on the victim's front gate, penned the cattle and hauled several loads out in a Gooseneck trailer. The suspect left one group of cattle behind, contained in the pen without access to water or feed. Two bulls and one cow died, and several others were extremely dehydrated.

When the victim discovered the cut lock and penned cattle, he then counted his remaining cattle and found 35 head of mature cattle and approximately 20 calves were missing.

A search of TSCRA's market inspection database revealed that Terry sold 13 head of the stolen cattle on July 17 and 10 head on July 24. With the assistance of TSCRA Special Ranger Jack Andrews, Belt was able to gain all of the necessary documentation to file the case.

Meanwhile, Burkhalter Trailer Co., in Livingston, reported a 24-foot by 7-foot Gooseneck trailer stolen from their yard. The trailer was found at Terry's residence, still hooked up to his pickup truck.

Terry was arrested and charged with livestock theft and trailer theft. The investigators recovered the stolen trailer and $6,000 in cash from the proceeds of the cattle sold July 24. Terry posted bond the next day, but was arrested again July 30 on the cruelty to animals charges.

Forty-two of the 55 head of missing cattle have been recovered so far.