Top 5 Most Notorious Cattle Business Crimes Of 2023

There may not be shootouts on Main Street anymore, but Wild West-type scandals are alive and well across the cattle industry. Here’s a look at the top 5 cases of theft, fraud and cattle ponzi schemes from this year.
There may not be shootouts on Main Street anymore, but Wild West-type scandals are alive and well across the cattle industry. Here’s a look at the top 5 cases of theft, fraud and cattle ponzi schemes from this year.
(Farm Journal)

There may not be shootouts on Main Street anymore, but Wild West-type scandals are alive and well across the cattle industry.

In 2023 alone, there was a number of instances of theft, fraud and cattle ponzi schemes.

Here’s a look at the top 5 from this year:

Three Florida Men Sentenced in $9-Million Frozen Meat Crime Ring

Arrested for approximately 45 thefts totaling over $9 million in loss, three Florida men were sentenced for stealing semi-loads of frozen beef and pork from packing plants across six Midwest states.

Read the full story here.

Arizona Border Rancher Accused of Killing Migrant, Now Held With $1 Million Bond

An Arizona rancher was arrested in connection with the death of a Mexican national who was shot and killed on the rancher’s property, literally yards north of the Mexican border.

Read the full story here.

Iowa Cattleman Faces 30 Years for Fraud, Theft

A Clayton County, Iowa, cattleman plead guilty Dec. 1 in Cedar Rapids federal court to livestock theft, wire fraud and one count of making a false bankruptcy declaration. The cattleman admitted he operated a large farming operation in Northeastern Iowa and operated an unlicensed custom cattle farm known as “Fawn Hollow.”

Read the full story here.

Texas-Based Cattle Company Accused of $191 Million Investment Fraud

Agridime LLC, Texas-based cattle company, is facing allegations of orchestrating a cattle Ponzi scheme involving $191 million in investor funds and undisclosed sales commissions. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) took swift action, issuing a temporary restraining order, asset freeze and receiver appointment for Agridime on Dec. 14.

Read the full story here.

Kentucky Cattle Scheme With 78,000 Ghost Cattle Unravels

A massive fraudulent cattle scheme allegedly orchestrated by a Kentucky cattleman conned dozens of investors and a prominent agricultural lender out of $100 million, while his family – still grieving over the man’s suicide – faces financial peril.

Read the full story here.

While some of these stories seem a little too wild to be true, considering the prices of cattle and beef in the last year, there’s more reason to believe that these events occur.

Cattle rustling is still a concern, according to state brand inspection and livestock boards across the Midwest.

Read the full story: Cattle Rustlers Target Valuable Livestock: Are You At Risk?

Read More:

2023 Year in Review

Gov. Polis Releases Wolves in Covert Ceremony

 

 

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