Two Oklahoma Men Charged with Series of Cattle and Equipment Thefts
Two men from Osage County, Okla. have been charged with multiple counts of stealing cattle after an investigation by a special ranger for Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA).
In August, five counts of larceny of domestic animals (livestock) were filed against Cody Joseph Porter, 32, of Sperry and Michael Joseph Demaro, 43, of Skiatook.
An investigation was started by TSCRA Special Ranger Bart Perrier after a string of cattle thefts in late June in southern Osage County. Three different victims filed complaints to Perrier of calves being allegedly stolen from pastures near Avant.
Perrier determined that the missing cattle had been sold at several different livestock auction markets in northeast Oklahoma and southern Kansas. Sales receipts showed that Porter and Demaro were connected to the cattle. Further investigations showed that other cattle and equipment thefts in Oklahoma were tied to the pair.
It was reported that Porter and Demaro were allegedly in position of a stolen livestock trailer loaded with stolen cattle near Shawnee on June 5. The same day Demaro was arrested by Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Deputies after attempting to evade arrest for several hours. Porter was able to escape authorities until he was finally apprehended on July 10 in Owasso by TSCRA Special Rangers and Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Special Agents. Porter was booked into the Logan County Jail and later transferred to Pottawatomie County.
Both men are awaiting arraignment in Osage County since they are incarcerated in other jurisdictions. Following the arraignment, Porter will be held on a $70,000 bond and Demaro on a $25,000 bond.
Porter and Demaro will face five counts of larceny of domestic animals (livestock), a felony that carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison on each count. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are possible.
“This case is a perfect example of numerous agencies across the state working cooperatively to recover stolen livestock and property,” Perrier says. “Through the hard work and dedication of many agencies and individuals across Oklahoma we were able to bring those responsible to justice.”
TSCRA would like to thank everyone involved in the case, especially the Osage County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Daniel Brasheer, Investigators Steve Talbert and William Gee, the Skiatook Police Department and Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Special Agents for their assistance in the joint investigation.
