Additional arrests in ag theft cases in four counties
Photo: On February 7, agents with the Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau, along with the Port Gibson Police Department, recovered a stolen Ford F250 truck in Claiborne County as part of an ongoing investigation involving a multi-state theft ring. (Courtesy photo)
The Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau (MALTB), the law enforcement division of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, made additional arrests in two unrelated, ongoing investigations involving the theft of agricultural property. These arrests were made in conjunction with local law enforcement.
In November 2022, the MALTB made an arrest in the theft of an airplane engine in Issaquena County. The alleged suspect, Christopher Douglas Showah, was arrested again without incident on February 9 by the MALTB and the Sunflower County Sheriff’s Office. The new charges stem from the original search warrant conducted of his property on November 9, 2022. This is still an ongoing investigation.
In an unrelated case, the MALTB uncovered a theft ring during a multi-state investigation into a stolen farm truck from Missouri in January. Multiple stolen trucks were recovered by the MALTB and the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office. This ongoing investigation led to the recovery of additional stolen vehicles and arrests. On February 7, agents with the MALTB, along with the Port Gibson Police Department, recovered a stolen Ford F250 truck in Claiborne County.
On February 9, a Ford F350 truck was recovered in Richland by officers of the Richland Police Department. Arrests have been made, with additional arrests forth coming as the investigation continues to develop. This remains an ongoing investigation.
Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson and MALTB Director Dean Barnard would like to commend all law enforcement that assisted in both of these cases for their continued efforts working together in solving crime, making arrest and recovering stolen assets. Those include MALTB investigators, Sheriff James Haywood and the Sunflower County Sheriff’s Office, Chief Russell Dorsey and officers of the Port Gibson Police Department, and Chief Nick McClendon and officers of the Richland Police Department.
The Mississippi Agricultural and Livestock Theft Bureau enforces state laws pertaining to the theft of cattle, horses, swine, poultry, fish, farm equipment, chemicals, timber and all other farm or agriculture-related crimes. Visit http://msagtheft.org/ to learn more about the MALTB. To report or provide information regarding an agricultural crime, call (800) 678-2660.
