East Texas Cattle Thief Gets 20 Years in Priosn

CURRY SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON FOR CATTLE THEFT; FURTHER CHARGES PENDING


(TSCRA RELEASE)

TYLER, TEXAS - A Smith County district jury sentenced Carl Wade Curry, Henderson County, to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine-the maximum sentence for second degree felony theft of livestock. Curry was indicted on third degree felony theft charges, but the penalty was enhanced to a second degree charge because of a prior conviction.

This is the first trial set for Curry, who was charged with seven other separate charges in Smith, Tarrant, Montague, Hopkins, Bexar, Hardeman, Clay and Atascosa counties. He also faces two charges in Louisiana. All but two of the charges are cattle related thefts.

The theft investigations were led by Texas Ranger Brent Davis in cooperation with multiple Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Rangers including Scott Williamson and Marvin Wills.

"Cattle theft victims had a victory today. The Smith County district attorney's office sent a clear message to thieves that cattle theft is not taken lightly in Texas," said Williamson. "The jury understood the relevance of the crimes committed, the extent to which the victims were effected and they sentenced him appropriately."

TSCRA has 29 special rangers stationed strategically throughout Texas and Oklahoma who have in-depth knowledge of the cattle industry and are trained in all facets of law enforcement. All are commissioned as Special Rangers by the Texas Department of Public Safety and/or the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is a 134-year-old trade organization. As the largest and oldest livestock association in Texas, TSCRA represents more than 15,000 beef cattle producers, ranching families and businesses who manage approximately 4 million head of cattle on 51.5 million acres of range and pasture land, primarily in Texas and Oklahoma. TSCRA provides law enforcement and livestock inspection services, legislative and regulatory advocacy, industry news and information, insurance services and educational opportunities for its members and the industry.