GATESVILLE, TX — A Gatesville man has been arrested for allegedly selling 46 head of a former client's cattle worth $50,000.
Forty-year-old Christopher D. Cockrell was arrested December 19 according to the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.
Cockrell allegedly began running cattle for the victim, a Bangs man, in the spring of 2016. The victim became suspicious and allegedly demanded Cockrell gather and sell his cattle for him and terminate their business relationship.
Cockroll never gathered the cattle.
On Dec 4., the victim reached out to Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Marvin Wills, who was able to determine said wrongdoing. Cockrell later then allegedly confessed to selling the victim's cattle using a private treaty and keeping the respected proceeds.
Wills secured an arrest warrant for theft of livestock charge, a third-degree felony.
On December 19, Cockrell was stopped by a Texas State Trooper for a traffic violation and taken into custody on the warrant. He was released on December 20 after posting a $7,500 bond.
Wills said cases like this are not uncommon.
“Cattle raisers need to make sure they know the credibility of the person or persons taking care of their cattle,” he warned. “Check their references. And once you form a partnership, keep good records of inventory on hand and visually inspect your cattle on a regular basis.”
