A Louisiana man purchased nearly 200 head of cattle last fall and has now been accused of never actually completing payment for the livestock. He was arrested and released on a $250,000 bond while facing federal charges for theft of livestock.
A 30-year-old man was arrested by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association recently. The arrest came following the discovery of a warrant for the man regarding theft of livestock. In September of 2013, the defendant purchased nearly 200 head of cattle at a livestock auction. The warrant claimed he never attempted to make a payment for the purchase, which totaled $159,498. The arresting charge was second degree theft of livestock.
Individuals charged with theft-related crimes are not always those who purposefully took an item from another’s possession in the way society generally imagines. Sometimes defenses to theft are relevant and may relieve a defendant of guilt. If an individual accused of stealing property had a good faith belief that he or she had a valid claim to the property, or owned it, a valid defense may arise. Generally, evidence must be given to support the belief that the individual had a proper claim of right to the property. Additional defenses include intoxication, entrapment, or sometimes even the return of the property.
Defendants facing theft charges may often feel confused and scared, especially if a good faith belief of property ownership existed. A solid defense may help such an individual to assess what options he or she may have to prevent a criminal conviction.
Source: Ag Web, “Louisiana Man Arrested on Cattle Theft Charges…Again,” August 21, 2014