Oklahoma county commissioner accused of stealing 9 cattle
The cattle theft case of Shane Douglas Jones, of Ponca City, Oklahoma, is moving forward more than a year after his arrest. Jones was serving as the Kay County District 1 commissioner when an indictment accused him of 10 felony charges in the alleged theft of nine cattle.
Investigators allege Jones, 37, of Ponca City, Oklahoma, was hired by Newkirk Sale Barn to transport livestock between Jan. 1 and Feb. 12, 2025. During that period, he allegedly stole nine cows belonging to Jeff Schieber and branded them with the intent to defraud.
Jones was indicted July 25, 2025, on one count of larceny of livestock and nine counts of branding with intent to defraud. He turned himself in and was booked into the Kay County Detention Center and released on $10,000 bond, according to court records.
The charges were filed by the Oklahoma attorney general’s office following an indictment by the 21st Multi-County Grand Jury.
“Cattle theft is a serious crime that undermines Oklahoma’s agricultural industry,” said Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said. “We aren’t afraid to vigorously prosecute those who steal livestock, regardless of their position in the community.”
A plea docket is scheduled for Jan. 11, according to KFOR-TV. If convicted, Jones faces three to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 for the livestock larceny charge. Each of the nine branding charges carries a potential sentence of three to 10 years in prison or a fine of $500 to $1,000.
Lacey Vilhauer can be reached at 620-227-1871 or [email protected].
