A 65-year-old Montalba man is at the center of a sprawling cattle case after investigators say a months-long, multi-county probe into alleged livestock theft and check fraud ended with his arrest in early April. Authorities allege he failed to pay for more than $221,000 in cattle purchases and later wrote a separate bad check for more than $31,000, all while continuing to trade cattle at other barns. A Jasper County grand jury handed down an indictment in March, and an April warrant ultimately led to his arrest in Limestone County.
The Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) opened its investigation in August 2025 after receiving a report that the suspect had not paid for cattle purchases totaling $221,730.20 at a local auction barn, according to the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. TSCRA reports the man was taken into custody in November 2025, and that a Jasper County grand jury returned a true bill of indictment for theft of livestock on March 16.
A follow-up investigation alleges the suspect later wrote a non-sufficient funds check for $31,629.75 dated Jan. 9 and went on buying and selling cattle without paying his tab, as reported by Oklahoma Farm Report. That outlet reports a warrant was issued April 7 and the man was arrested April 9 in Limestone County; the case has been submitted to the district attorney's office and remains under investigation.
TSCRA and local agencies coordinating
Concerns about livestock theft have prompted a more coordinated response across rural counties, with special rangers teaming up with sheriff's offices to keep closer tabs on sale barns and cattle movement and to track unpaid transactions. Earlier this winter, local coverage detailed a separate December theft that triggered a Crime Stoppers reward and a call for residents to review their security camera footage, highlighting how these crimes can sting small producers in particular, according to the Colorado County Citizen.
Legal status and next steps
According to TSCRA, its special rangers coordinated with the Jasper County District Attorney’s Office, the Rains County District Attorney’s Office and sheriff's offices in Rains, Limestone and Jasper counties as the investigation unfolded. The organization says evidence has been turned over to prosecutors and that the probe remains active while authorities weigh whether to seek additional charges, according to the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.
