Edmond Man Accused of Cattle Rustling

Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

CHICKASHA, Oklahoma -- Deputies arrested an Edmond man accused of stealing more than a dozen head of cattle from ranchers in two counties.

Scotty Austin, 40, allegedly stole 18 head of cattle from Grady and McClain counties. Investigators said he sold the cattle at Stockman's Oklahoma Livestock Auction in Apache, Oklahoma. Some of the cattle were recovered and returned to the owners, according to a statement released by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

"Unfortunately, it's easy to do. It's hard for the ranchers to keep track of the cattle every day," said Det. Dana Guthrie, McClain County Sheriff's Office.

The investigation by TSCRA Special Ranger Austin Green and the McClain County Sheriff's Office led to Austin's arrest Friday, Sept. 3 at his home in Edmond.

"The deputies found numerous sales receipts from stock sale barns around Oklahoma, which is kind of unusual. Most ranchers usually sale to one sale barn," Guthrie said.

In the end, investigators said cattle theft is a problem that's not going away and will continue to grow.

"The cases of cattle rustling have definitely picked up in the last few months since the prices of cattle have gone up," Guthrie said.

Guthrie believed Austin may be involved to several cattle thefts in the area but those cases are pending at this time.

Austin was arrested for larceny of domestic animals and has since been released on a $10,000 bond. 

If convicted, Austin could face up to eight years in prison or a fine totaling four times the value of the stolen cattle.