Clinton Easter of Eastland County, Texas, was convicted Jan. 28 of two first-degree felony cattle theft charges in Coleman County and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. He will serve 30 years of confinement concurrently on each case. Easter had also been charged with similar offenses in Eastland, Comanche and Stephens counties.

Easter confessed to the crimes and Coleman County district attorney Heath Hemphill prosecuted the case.

Easter was found guilty after an investigation, led by Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Assn. (TSCRA) special rangers Joe Roberts and H.D. Brittain, revealed that Easter was responsible for the thefts. TSCRA special rangers Wayne Goodman, Marvin Wills and John Bradshaw assisted with the investigation.

Roberts said additional prosecutions are expected to be handed down in this case. 

“Through the teamwork of TSCRA special rangers, law enforcement authorities and district attorney Hemphill, we were able to send a clear message that cattle theft comes with extremely severe consequences,” Roberts said. “I appreciate those who worked with us throughout the investigation to make sure justice prevailed.”