FAYETTE CO. MAN SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS FOR CATTLE THEFT

  

Investigation into a string of cattle thefts has led to prison time for a Fayette County man.

Andre Demoine McKenzie, of La Grange, was sentenced to six years in state prison after pleading guilty to three charges of theft of cattle, one each in Karnes, Atascosa, and Frio Counties. Theft of livestock is typically a third-degree felony, but McKenzie’s charges were upgraded to second-degree felonies because he stole the cattle from elderly individuals.

According to a release from the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA), investigation began last July in Fayette County, after a rancher reported he was missing six cows and a calf. A tip pointed Special Rangers to McKenzie, who was previously an employee at the ranch.

While authorities were following up on that lead, the same victim reported that five cows and a Hereford bull had been stolen from another of his properties.

Soon after, it was learned that McKenzie had sold six cows and a calf at the Karnes County Livestock auction, which matched the description of the cattle stolen in June. Special Rangers then found that McKenzie sold five cows and a Hereford bull at the Atascosa Livestock Auction, which matched the description of the cattle taken in the second theft.

While Special Rangers were preparing to arrest McKenzie for the first two thefts, authorities say he was in the process of selling a dozen roping steers and a heifer at the Pearsall Livestock Auction. Those cattle were reported missing two days later by another Fayette County rancher.

McKenzie was arrested December 16^th in Fayette County.  Investigation was led by Special Rangers of the TSCRA, and was assisted by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Fayette County District Attorney’s Office, and TSCRA’s market inspection team.