Martin arrested for stealing cattle
A Garfield man was arrested this week in connection with 13 cattle taken from the Decatur Livestock Auction and their attempted sale in Green Forest, according to Benton County authorities.
A probable cause affidavit from the Benton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office states that Roger Allen Martin, 43, of 14162 East Arkansas 72, Garfield, was arrested Wednesday, March 28, in connection with conspiracy to commit theft of property.
Capt. Mike Sydoriak, commander of the criminal investigation division for the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, said Mar- tin was charged with conspiracy because he claimed he was following instructions of another man to haul the cattle.
“The people at Green Forest couldn’t make a positive ID and we couldn’t find the trailer that was used,” Sydoriak said.
Christopher Buffer, a co-owner of the Decatur Livestock Auction, reported on March 13 that computer records showed 13 calves — 10 steers and three heifers — that did not sell, according to the probable cause affidavit.
The unsold livestock could not be found, according to authorities.
Buffer told detectives he suspected one of his employees had taken the cattle because there was no sign of forced entry, the affidavit states.
Buffer called the sheriff’s office on March 15, said he had contacted
several cattle auctions in the area, and North Arkansas Livestock Auction in Green Forest told Buffer that a man named Roger Martin was coming in to pick up an $11,027.72 check for the sale of 13 cattle, the affidavit states.
When detectives with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office questioned Martin, according to the affidavit, Martin told them he had hauled some cattle for a man in Missouri, but did not take them to Green Forest.
Martin also denied going to Green Forest for an $11,027.72 check, according to the affidavit.
However, workers at the Green Forest sale barn had written down a truck license plate that checked to Martin, the affidavit states.
Authorities said Martin had been attempting to have the name on a check from the Green Forest auction changed from Todd Mcaliister to his name.
Officials at the Green Forest auction put a stop payment on the check, the affidavit states.
“Cattle are at a very high price right now — there’s lot’s of money in cattle,” Sydoriak said. “Now that the farmers are finally making some money, the crooks are out there trying to take it away from them.”
Sydoriak said the best advice he can give cattlemen is to keep gates padlocked, use ear tags and even use microchips.
“When you get right down to it, a black cow at a sale barn is a black cow at a sale barn,” Sydoriak said. “When you find your cattle have been stolen, the best thing to do is get to a sale barn and try to find them, then call the sheriff’s office. Most people will try to get rid of them as quickly as possible.”
Sydoriak said a 300pound animals is selling for $2.25 per pound. Even calves are bringing $400.
“It’s nuts,” Sydoriak added.
Tom Troxel, professor and associated department head at the University of Arkansas Animal Sciences in the Division of Agriculture, agreed with Sydoriak, adding cattle prices are at record highs right now.
That also means, combined with the economy, • Approximately 30,000 farms in Arkansas pro
duce beef cattle. • The average herd size is 30 head with 80 percent of the farms having less than 50 head. • About 97 percent of the beef cattle farms are family owned and
operated. • There are 1.8 million cows and calves with total cash value over
$432 million. • The total economic impact of the Arkansas beef cattle industry is
over $1.4 billion. Source: University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service cattle are particularly attractive to rustlers.
“Typically, we do see an increase in rustling when prices rise,” Troxel said. “Right now, it’s a combination of tough economic times, high unemployment and high cattle prices.”
Troxel said livestock auction owners are the best safeguard against cattle rustling.
“They know the business, they know their people and know the cattle they own,” Troxel said. “If something looks fishy, they know it.”
Meanwhile, Troxel added, the best way to identify your cattle is still the old-fashioned way.
“As old as it is, branding is the only permanent identification we have today,” Troxel said. “Arkansas doesn’t have a branding law — like some of the states out west where you have to brand your cattle. But Arkansas has a branding registry. You can register your brand and no two brands can be alike.”
A phone message left at the Decatur Livestock Auction was not returned Friday. Farmers bring in cattle on Monday and Tuesday until the sales begin, according to the affidavit.
Managers at the Farmers Livestock Auction in Springdale were busy Friday working cattle. Friday is their sale day.
Martin was released Friday, March 30, from the Benton County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Moppin, Bob, 51, Disorderly conduct, Nol prossed Moppin, Bob, 51, Harassment, guilty Moppin, Bob, 51, Obstruct government operations, Nol prossed
Moppin, Bob, 51, Insult or abuse of teacher, guilty
Harris, Michael L., 40, Assault — second degree, Nol prossed
Scott, William J., 31, Poss. controlled substance, guilty
Scott, William J., 31, Drug paraphernalia, Not guilty
Roy, Monita A., 42, Driving while intoxicated, guilty
Roy, Monita A., 42, Speeding, Nol prossed
Jones, Wesley B., 34, Speeding, guilty
Mott, Joshua Scott, 24, Drive on susp. or revoked D.L., guilty
Mott, Joshua Scott, 24, No proof liability Insurance — Local, guilty
Street, Sarah L., 44, Imprudent driving City Ord. 139, bond forfeit
Evans, Theresia, 32, No proof liability insurance — Local, guilty
Schreibvogel, Sascha Jolynne, 30, Drive on susp. or revoked D.L., guilty
Schreibvogel, Sascha Jolynne, 30, Fail to stop at stop sign, guilty
Strain, Patricia E., 50, Communicat- ing false alarm, guilty
Strain, Patricia E., 50, Refusal to submit to arrest, guilty
Simmons, Roy W., 23, Fictitious vehicle license, guilty
Abercrombie, Jackson L., 23, Domestic battery — third degree, Nol prossed
Reynolds, Charles, 19, Harassing communications, guilty
Crosley, Jason, 29, No proof liability insurance — Local, guilty