Accused Tom Green Co. Cattle Thief Due in District Court Tuesday

SAN ANGELO, TX -- A controversial Tom Green County man who once ran for Constable is facing a felony cattle theft charge and has a final pretrial hearing Tuesday morning before facing a jury of his peers later this month. 

According to district court records, 44-year-old Dusty Thompson has a final pretrial hearing Tuesday morning.  Thompson is accused of penning three stray cows on his property for over two weeks and telling a confidential informant he planned on butchering them.  

As we reported in 2016, according to the arrest affidavit filed by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA), Special Ranger Kenny Wadsworth explained Thompson engaged in illegal theft of the cattle from Oct. 1, 2016 through Oct. 27, 2016, which was the day before he was arrested.

On Oct. 25 2016, TSCRA Special Ranger Wadsworth was contacted by Special Ranger Joe Roberts who stated he had received information from a confidential informant that Thompson had moved three black cows on to a pasture adjoining their place.The informant stated the cattle didn't belong to Thompson, and he had the cattle at his residence for over two weeks prior to moving them to his other place on US 277 South, which is the area of his business, Southern Industrial.

"[The] informant stated the cattle were branded with a "7" on the left hip, and had pink ear tags in the left ear," read the affidavit. 

The informant then sent pictures of the cattle to Wadsworth via text showing the brands and ear tags.

The victim/informant, who Wadsworth asked that we not publicly name for safety reasons, said he runs cattle on his leased ranch and all of them are branded. At the beginning of October, the informant had repaired the fence running along his property, but was not aware of any cattle getting out, nor was he notified by law enforcement of any cattle being loose.

As we reported earlier, Thompson has filed a motion asking the court for probation. 

Thompson is scheduled for his final pretrial hearing at 9 a.m. Tuesday morning.  His jury trial is set to begin Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019 at 9 a.m.

Thompson is facing third degree felony theft of cattle/livestock of less than $150,000.  The felony charge is punishable by two to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.  Thompson is eligible for probation because he has no prior felonies.