Fort Worth, Texas - A Grimes County man was indicted this week by a grand jury on four counts of felony theft of less than 10 head of cattle.

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Ranger Brent Mast alleges that Michael Kimich, 28, of Grimes County stole three head of branded cattle from the victim and took them to the Navasota Livestock Auction to be sold.  The brand was recognized by the auction's owner who then notified TSCRA.  Kimich was arrested in January by Mast and Lt. Blake Jarvis of the Grimes County Sherriff's office for the crime. 

Further investigations revealed that Kimich had stolen cattle three additional times.  Kimich confessed to all four thefts.

"The most important thing a rancher can do to prevent cattle theft is to brand or mark their herd," Mast said.  "Because the auction market owner recognized the brand and knew the owner, we were able to recover the stolen cattle quickly and return them to the owner."

Current law states that theft of less than 10 head of cattle is classified as a state jail felony and is punishable up to two years in jail.  During the 2009 Legislative Session lawmakers increased that penalty to a third degree felony, which is punishable up to 10 years in jail; however, that law does not take effect until Sept. 1. 

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 and the industry.