The Webb County grand jury handed down an indictment on 49-year-old Vance Walters, of Cayuga, Texas. The indictment alleges that Vance Walters stole and dispersed of 225 head of cattle from Jesus Garcia Gonzalez, a rancher whose cattle operation is based in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Gonzalez, a dual resident of the United States and Mexico, says he has been selling cattle to the United States for years.
In 2003, Gonzalez sold over 500 head of cattle to Jack Stevenson, who, after obtaining the cattle, failed to make payment. Gonzalez later learned that Stevenson had made arrangements with Walters to divide the cattle for pasturing purposes, after a previous pasture Stevens planned to use for the cattle fell through. Gonzalez said he had no prior knowledge of Walters.
According to Gonzalez, Stevens returned over 260 head of cattle, but said the rest remained with Walters. Charges were not filed on Stevens.
Walters could face up to a $10,000 fine and 20 years in prison if convicted.
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.
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is a 132-year-old trade organization and is the largest livestock association in Texas. TSCRA has more than 15,000 members 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 services, livestock inspection, legislative and regulatory advocacy and educational opportunities for its members.