A Tyler, Texas man has been handed down a 12-year sentence following an earlier conviction on charges of cattle theft. In addition, Jeremie Del Ral Ford, 30, was ordered to pay more than $4,000 in restitution to the victims.
The charges were the result of an investigation led by TSCRA Special Ranger Larry Hand with assistance from TSCRA Special Ranger Jimmy Dickson and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office.
The case began when three cows were stolen from a ranch in eastern Smith County. TSCRA Special Rangers quickly located two of the stolen animals, which had been sold at a local livestock auction. The seller was identified as Ford. Hand also recovered a feed sack at the crime scene that he traced to an Arp, Texas feed store. The feed store was able to provide an invoice that further linked Ford to the crime.
It was also noted that Ford had only purchased horse feed and supplies from the store prior to purchasing the one unique bag of cattle feed shortly before the theft. It is believed he used the feed to entice the cattle and facilitate their removal from the pasture.
With substantial evidence connecting Ford to the cattle theft, a felony arrest warrant was issued by a Smith County judge. Ford was arrested by the Kilgore Police Department on Feb. 24, 2017, and later transferred to the Smith County Jail where he was arraigned on March 2, 2017. Ford was subsequently convicted of theft of livestock less than $150,000 by a Smith County jury on May 3, 2018. He remained in custody on a $300,000 bond until sentencing.
Judge Kerry L. Russell handed down the sentence of 12 years in prison and more than $4,000 in restitution to the victims. The punishment was enhanced to a second-degree felony due to Ford’s prior felony convictions. Ford was remanded to the custody of the Texas Department of Corrections and will receive credit for time served.
“I am extremely grateful for the commitment and dedication of local law enforcement, the skillful presentation of evidence by the felony prosecutors and all those responsible for bringing this case to a close, including the state’s witnesses and jurors,” said Hand. “The sentence sends a clear message to the bad guys that cattle theft will not be tolerated by this community.”
Hand added that additional suspects may be involved with theft, but authorities have not yet obtained enough evidence to bring charges. Anyone with information that could aid in further convictions is urged to call the TSCRA Operation Cow Thief hotline at (888) 830-2333 or Special Ranger Larry Hand at (903) 592-5252. All information is kept confidential and tips may be provided anonymously.
