Bills filed to increase penalties for cattle theft in Oklahoma

Two bills have been filed in the Oklahoma legislature that aim to address the increase in cattle theft in Oklahoma. According to Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association President Richard Gebhart, the bills are much needed as "cattle theft has more than doubled in the last year alone." Sen. Eddie Fields, Wynona, has authored SB 299 in the Oklahoma Senate and Rep. Casey Murdock, Felt, has authored HB 1387 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Both bills increase the jail and fine penalties for cattle theft and, most importantly, combine the two. "Current state law says that the penalty is jail or a fine. OCA is in favor of convicted thieves receiving both," Gebhart said. Specifically, the bills would increase the jail time from 3 to 10 years to 5 to 15 years; increase the cap in fine from $500,000 to $750,000 and replace the 'or' with 'and', thus making the overall penalty both jail and a fine...more