Stolen Double Ear-Notched Calves Sold, Texas Man Indicted on Two Counts
Stealing cattle with distinct, both ear tips notched, hoping to slide under the radar is not a likely proposition. However, one Lee County, Texas man thought otherwise.
Wilber Eugene Jackson has been caught selling cattle that weren’t his for a second time, reports the Texas and Southwest Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) in a recent press release.
After the suspicious seller and set of cattle with distinguishable, both ear tips notched came through the Brenhan Livestock Auction Barn in March, TSCRA Special Ranger Kenny Murchison was called to investigate.
After finding no reports of missing cattle, on May 10, Murchison received a call reporting 11 missing calves discovered on May 6, matching the description of ‘both ear tips notched.’ After further investigation, Murchison discovered the calves sold in March resembled the rancher’s other calves.
The rancher confirmed the seller, Wilbur Jackson, had been working for him for several years, TSCRA reports.
TSCRA special agents teamed up and found the group of 11 missing calves had been sold on May 7 by Jackson at the Navasota Livestock Auction.
“After Murchison obtained an arrest warrant for a probation violation, Jackson was arrested May 13 by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office where he remains in the Lee County Jail on a $250,000 bond,” TSCRA reports.
Indicted on two counts of Theft of Livestock and with Jackson’s criminal history, both charges were heightened to first-degree felonies and he has been filed as a habitual offender, TSCRA says.
