The penalties for cattle rustling in Oklahoma has now been increased. Oklahoma lawmakers already sent the measure to the governor in order to limit and stop the crime of cattle theft in the state.
The bill that increases the fines of cattle theft was approved by the Oklahoma Senate. The previous law penalizes livestock thieves with either going to jail or be fined. But the new legislation would now allow both penalties in a single case. It will also allow prosecutors to carry out felony cases per animal that was stolen.
Records show that the crime of cattle rustling has evolved over the years. Modern thieves are now using pick-up trucks to haul cattles. The recent rise of the crime has been attributed to the increasing availability of heroin and methamphetamine in rural areas.
According to Jerry Flowers, chief agent for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture's Investigative Services, 75 percent of thieves commit cattle rustling to sustain their addiction to drugs. The wide area of cattle ranches in Oklahoma and nearby Texas have proven to be easy targets for these criminals. Stolen cattles fetch from $1000 to $3000 on the market as per Reuters.
The new regulations make jail time for livestock theft at three to ten years and those convicted would be fined with the amount of the cattle and or machinery stolen or even increase three times the actual amount. The capped fine would be up to $500,000.
Just recently, The Ada News noted that Karl Hammond, a 46-year-old from Wetumka, was arrested as a result of the joint investigation of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) and the Hughes County sheriff's deputies.
Michael Kelsey, the vice president for the Oklahoma Cattlemen Association, said that district attorneys now have the option to seek eight felony counts. This will be applicable for criminals that have been doing the same deed over and over again.
According to the High Plains Journal, Kelsey said that cattle rustling is a crime that devastates the victims through property loss. He added that the OCA will continue to protect its members' properties by modifying the penalties to these crimes.
The bill will be heading to Republican Governor Mary Fallin for approval.
