A 25-year-old Texas man has been charged with felony second-degree cattle theft after allegedly purchasing 77 head of cattle for $159,604.03 using bad checks. The Leon County Sheriff’s Department announced the charges against Payton Dean Carroll on Saturday.
The Criminal Investigations Division of the sheriff's office began its investigation on July 17 after receiving a report of the alleged crime from Buffalo Livestock Marketing, Inc.
Authorities reported that Carroll is from Barry, Texas. The sheriff's office extended thanks to the Buffalo Police Department, the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, and the Navarro County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance during the investigation.
The case highlights ongoing discussions within the American cattle business, with figures like Chad Berger, owner of Chad Berger Bucking Bulls, noting factors such as rising steer prices, decreasing cattle numbers due to land development, and an aging rancher population impacting the industry.