Texas man arrested in livestock theft and bad check investigations
A 65-year-old Montalba, Texas, man faces felony charges following investigations into alleged livestock theft and issuance of a non-sufficient funds check.
The Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Rangers began investigating Ben Lee Johnson in August 2025 after receiving a report he failed to pay $221,730.20 for cattle purchases at a local auction barn. TSCRA Special Ranger Mike Boone led the initial inquiry.
Johnson was arrested in November 2025. A Jasper County grand jury later indicted him March 16 on charges of livestock theft.
A second investigation began in early 2026, led by TSCRA Special Ranger Robert Pemberton. Authorities allege Johnson issued a non-sufficient funds check for $31,629.75 on Jan. 9 to a livestock auction in northeast Texas and did not provide payment after a formal demand.
Investigators said Johnson continued buying and selling cattle at other auction barns while failing to pay outstanding debts. Based on those findings, authorities issued a warrant on April 7. Johnson was arrested April 9 in Limestone County.
The case has been submitted to the district attorney’s office and remains under investigation.
TSCRA Special Rangers worked with the Jasper County District Attorney’s Office, Rains County District Attorney’s Office, and sheriff’s offices in Rains, Limestone and Jasper counties.
Lacey Vilhauer can be reached at 620-227-1871 or [email protected].
