A Colfax, ND, man faces felony charges after two ranchers reported more than 130 head of cattle missing from his care, according to Valley News Live. Daniel Wayne Dockter is charged with two counts of theft over $50,000, unlawful transport of livestock and providing false information to law enforcement. Court documents state the ranchers entrusted Dockter with 93 cows and three bulls in 2019 and 40 cows in 2021 under share agreements, but the cattle allegedly vanished. Losses total roughly $650,500. Investigators found no brand inspection records and no evidence supporting Dockter’s claim that the cattle were at a South Dakota feedlot.
In a separate case, Texas authorities arrested Kaleb Roberson on livestock theft charges after recovering two stolen calves that had been sold locally. The Brazos County Sheriff’s Office encouraged producers to enroll in the HEART (Help End Agriculture and Ranch Theft) Program to prevent ranch theft.
