Three suspects have been arrested for Theft of Cattle/Horse/Exotic Livestock <$150,000 a 3rd Degree Felony.
In the March 27, 2019 edition of The “Times,” a notice from the Freestone County Sheriff’s Office was printed regarding an active Felony Warrant for Johnathan Goleman, 22, who was identified after stolen cattle, belonging to Nicole and Jayme Ballard of Fairfield, were sold at auction in Longview, Texas.
Goleman has since been arrested and waived his rights, agreeing to speak with Freestone County Sergeant Preston Cordova, Special Ranger Jimmy Dickson, and Leon County Investigator Wayne Salee regarding the incident.
According to the Officer’s Affidavit, Goleman named Steven Oden, 42, and Oden’s stepson Justin Sander, 18, as his accomplices.
Per the Affidavit, Goleman stated that he works for Oden, hauling cattle, and that on March 20th, Oden told him to take some cattle to the sale in Longview. He said Oden told him that market prices were higher there.
He continued saying that he followed Oden and Sander to a location he was told Oden was leasing and grazing cattle on where they loaded four cows, three calves, and a bull into the trailer Goleman was pulling.
Goleman explained that Oden told him to take the cattle to Longview and sell them in his name so he would be able to cash the check and have gas money to return home.
When he returned to the Oden home in Wortham, Goleman said that Oden paid him $1,500 and then immediately burned all the paperwork from the sale.
The Affidavit states that Goleman led investigators to the location where he loaded the cattle, which turned out to be the gate of the property owned by the Ballards.
Both Oden and Sander have been arrested in connection with this crime.
All three parties have been charged with Theft of Cattle/Horse/Exotic Livestock <$150,000 a 3rd Degree Felony and are being held at the Limestone County Jail.
