Cattle Rustlers Charged in Ellis Co.

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April 7, 2023

By News Director Jared Atha

Two Ellis County residents were charged with larceny of domestic animals recently after allegedly stealing livestock owned by their employer.

According to court records Joey Lee Barnett of Arnett and Heath Thomas Barton of Gage were charged on March 23 in Ellis County District Court with the crimes after an investigation led by the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association showed that not only did they take the cattle, they sold them at a livestock auction.

In February, authorities received a call from a rancher in Ellis County who was missing four heifers.

An investigation was initiated which included authorities looking at livestock auctions in the area for the stolen cattle.

The investigation revealed heifers matching the rancher’s description had been sold at a nearby livestock auction by the defendants.

Barnett was already in custody for unrelated charges and Barton surrendered to authorities March 25. He was released on $15,000 bond.

The next court dates for both suspects is April 14.

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