A Lee County man, who sold stolen cattle to the Navasota and Brenham Livestock Auctions while on probation for stealing cattle, was sentenced to five decades in prison this month.
The Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association announced Tuesday that 47 year old Wilbur Eugene Jackson was sentenced to a total of 50 years for his two charges of Theft of Livestock, which were bumped to felony charges due to his criminal history.
The investigation began in March 2022, when Jackson took cattle to the Brenham auction with no branding or tags, but had their ears notched.
Two months later, in May 2022, a rancher in Lee County reported missing 11 calves. He reported they were not branded, but had their ears notched, similar to the ones in Brenham. In speaking with the man, investigators learned Jackson also worked at the man’s ranch.
The group of 11 calves was then found sold at the Navasota Livestock Auction, with both groups of calves confirmed to be from the ranch. Jackson was arrested later that week for violating his probation on a 2016 Livestock Theft charge, plus an Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle charge.
Jackson’s two new charges were bumped to first degree felonies, and he was given the 50 year sentence on February 10th.
He awaits his transfer to his permanent TDCJ Unit.