CATTLE THIEF SENTENCED TO 50 YEARS IN PRISON

  

A Lee County resident has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for a cattle theft case that spanned three counties.

Wilbur Eugene Jackson was convicted and sentenced on two counts of theft of livestock as the result of an investigation led by Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Kenny Murchison.

According to Murchison, reports of suspicious cattle arose in March 2022 when Jackson brought cattle to the Brenham Livestock Auction.  The cattle did not have any identifying brands, but did have both ear tips notched. 

Two months later, Murchison received a call from a rancher in Lee County that was missing a group of 11 calves.  The rancher said the calves were not branded, but did have both ear tips notched.

Murchison recalled the calves from the Brenham Livestock Auction and found out from the rancher that Jackson was one of his employees.

Murchison with help from Special Ranger Brent Mast discovered the missing 11 calves had been sold at the Navasota Livestock Auction by Jackson.

The rancher also confirmed that the cattle sold in Brenham were from his herd as well.

Jackson was arrested by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office for violating his probation on a previous Theft of Livestock charge and an additional charge of Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle.

Murchison filed the additional charges for Theft of Livestock, one for the cattle sold in Brenham, and the other for the cattle sold in Navasota.

Due to Jackson’s criminal history, both charges were enhanced to first-degree felonies and Jackson was filed on as a habitual offender.