On Monday, May 15, Early residents Todd Smith and Dustin Watson were arrested for Theft of Livestock, a state jail felony, based on arrest warrants from the Comanche County Sheriff’s Office. 

Investigator Duane Fuquay, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers’ Association  Special Ranger Jack Andrews, Brown County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant David Mercer and Texas Ranger Nick Hanna served the warrants on Smith and Watson at a residence north of the City of Early. 

Smith and Watson were transported to the Brown County Jail and later transferred to the Comanche County Jail.

Smith was also arrested on an outstanding warrant for Criminal Non-support from Huntington, Indiana.  Bonds for the Theft of Livestock charges were set at $10,000 each and there is no bond on the warrant from Indiana.

The theft of livestock arrests stem from a case reported to Comanche County Sheriff’s Office involving calves stolen from a ranch in the northwestern corner of the county.  Investigator Fuquay determined that the calves had been transported to the Dublin Livestock Auction and the calves’ owner was able to identify them. 

The investigation is continuing.  Investigator Fuquay believes that these suspects may also be responsible for other thefts of livestock in Comanche County.