Special Rangers Uncover Widespread South Texas Livestock Theft Scheme

Jul 24, 2024

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Matt Sigur led an investigation resulting in the recent arrest of Mason Solis, a Wilson County man charged with felony theft of livestock. The charges come after Solis failed to pay for cattle from the Live Oak Livestock Auction, which led to a widespread investigation that uncovered a complex livestock theft scheme spanning six Texas counties.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association was contacted in March 2024 by Live Oak Livestock Auction. The auction barn sold 35 head of cattle to but never received payment. The auction barn was given a hot check from Solis for the livestock, who took the cattle from the sale barn despite the failed payment.

Special Ranger Sigur promptly alerted other special rangers in the surrounding counties about the fraudulent scheme. Within weeks, Special Rangers Joe Aguilar Jr., Steve Martin, Robert Fields and Todd Jennings, reported similar incidents from auction barns across South Texas.

Special rangers quickly assembled, securing court orders, documents and statements. As the investigation advanced, evidence indicated Solis executed the same scheme repeatedly stealing 251 head of cattle in total. Warrants were issued by Gillespie, Gonzales, Karnes, Lavaca, Live Oak and Starr Counties.

Click here to see more...

Video: What Does 20 MILLION Hogs a Year Look Like?

?? The Multi-Plant System Processing 20 Million Hogs Annually in the Midwest JBS USA operates multiple large-scale pork processing facilities across the Midwest, including major plants in Iowa, Minnesota, and Indiana. Combined, these facilities have the capacity to process approximately 20 million hogs annually.

Each plant operates high-speed automated slaughter systems capable of processing up to 20,000 head per day, followed by fabrication lines that break carcasses into primals, sub-primals, and case-ready retail products.

Hog procurement is coordinated through electronic marketing platforms that connect regional contract finishing operations and independent producers to plant demand schedules. This digital procurement system allows for steady supply flow and scheduling efficiency across multiple facilities.

Processing plants incorporate comprehensive food safety systems, including pathogen intervention technologies, rapid chilling processes, and integrated cold-chain management. USDA inspection is embedded throughout the harvest and fabrication stages to ensure regulatory compliance and product integrity. Finished pork products — from bulk primals to retail-ready packaged cuts — are distributed through coordinated logistics networks serving domestic and export markets.