A 25-year-old Texas man faces a felony cattle theft charge after allegedly purchasing 77 head of cattle with checks that were later reported as invalid. The alleged loss totaled $159,604.03, according to the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators opened the case after receiving a report on July 17. The cattle were allegedly purchased from Buffalo Livestock Marketing, Inc.
| 1) | The alleged cattle purchase |
| 2) | The reported financial loss |
| 3) | The criminal investigation |
| 4) | The agencies assisting the case |
| 5) | The charge facing the defendant |
The alleged cattle purchase
Payton Dean Carroll, 25, is accused of obtaining 77 cattle from Buffalo Livestock Marketing, Inc. The transaction took place in Texas, although the available announcement did not specify the purchase date. Authorities allege that Carroll used checks to complete the purchase and that the checks were not valid when presented for payment.
Carroll is from Barry, Texas, according to the sheriff’s department. The case concerns cattle, commonly identified in livestock transactions as head, and the alleged conduct resulted in a second-degree felony cattle theft charge.
The reported financial loss
The alleged theft was valued at $159,604.03. That figure represents the reported total connected to the 77 cattle purchased in the transaction. The sheriff’s office did not provide additional details about the checks, including the financial institution involved, the number of checks issued or whether any portion of the alleged loss had been recovered.
The case highlights the financial exposure that can arise in livestock sales when payment instruments fail. No finding of guilt has been made, and the allegations remain subject to court proceedings.
The criminal investigation
The Leon County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division began investigating on July 17 after receiving a report of the alleged crime. Investigators reviewed the reported livestock transaction and the payment issue before filing the charge against Carroll.
The sheriff’s office identified the investigation in a public release but did not disclose additional evidence or explain how the cattle were located after the alleged purchase. The announcement also did not state whether Carroll had been arrested, released or given a court date.
The agencies assisting the case
The sheriff’s office credited several agencies with assisting the investigation. Those agencies included the Buffalo Police Department, the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and the Navarro County Sheriff’s Office.
Their reported involvement indicates that the investigation crossed local law enforcement and livestock-industry jurisdictions. The public release did not assign specific investigative duties to each agency or provide further details about the assistance.
“Our office extends thanks to Buffalo Police Department, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, and Navarro County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance throughout this investigation,” the sheriff’s office said.
The charge facing the defendant
Carroll faces a felony second-degree cattle theft charge. The charge was announced by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office following the investigation into the 77-cattle transaction.
A criminal charge is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The available information did not include a statement from Carroll or an attorney representing him, nor did it provide details about possible penalties, court proceedings or a response to the accusation.
| 1 | Payton Dean Carroll, 25, faces a felony second-degree cattle theft charge. |
|---|---|
| 2 | Authorities allege that 77 cattle were purchased with bad checks. |
| 3 | The reported total value of the alleged theft was $159,604.03. |
| 4 | The investigation began July 17 after a report was submitted. |
| 5 | Three outside agencies were credited with assisting the investigation. |
Summary
Texas authorities accuse Payton Dean Carroll of using bad checks to buy 77 cattle valued at $159,604.03. The investigation began after a July 17 report, and Carroll now faces a felony second-degree cattle theft charge. Further court and case details were not available in the public announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was charged in the case?
Payton Dean Carroll, a 25-year-old man from Barry, Texas, was charged.
What is Carroll accused of doing?
He is accused of purchasing 77 cattle from Buffalo Livestock Marketing, Inc. with bad checks.
How much was the alleged loss?
The alleged theft totaled $159,604.03.
When did the investigation begin?
The Criminal Investigations Division began investigating on July 17 after receiving a report.