jULY 24, 2025 – The Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau (MALTB) recently assisted in several agricultural theft recoveries, totaling more than $288,000 in recovered property.
On April 30, 2025, a tractor was stolen with a fraudulent cashier’s check in Rankin County. On this same date, MALTB was contacted by the fraud victim. MALTB, along with numerous law enforcement agencies, assisted in this ongoing investigation.
The investigation into the stolen tractor led to the recovery of additional pieces of stolen property. The suspects purchased trucks, cars, tractors and ATV/UTV vehicles from Facebook Marketplace with fraudulent cashier checks in at least three states. Over $288,000 worth of property has been recovered as a result of this check fraud and theft ring. Arrests have been made in this ongoing investigation with additional arrests forthcoming.
MALTB Director Dean Barnard commends all MALTB investigators and numerous law enforcement officers that assisted with this case, including Brandon Police Department, Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office, Madison Parish (Louisiana) Sheriff’s Office, Franklin Parish (Louisiana) Sheriff’s Office, Grenada Police Department, Amite County Sheriff’s Office, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Hazlehurst Police Department, Jackson Police Department, National Insurance Crime Bureau, Memphis (Tennessee) Police Department, McComb Police Department, Auburn (Alabama) Police Department and the Richland Police Department for their continued efforts to solve cases involving stolen agricultural equipment.
Director Barnard wants to remind the public before taking any cashier’s check for a purchase from Facebook Marketplace, or any other online sites, to do your research, verify funds before the transaction, and make transactions at a safe place like your local law enforcement parking lot.
Suspicious activity can be reported anonymously to local law enforcement and the Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau by calling 1-800-678-2660, or Mississippi Crime Stoppers by calling 601-355-TIPS (8477). All calls remain anonymous, and those reporting could be eligible for a reward upon arrest and conviction.
The Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau, the law enforcement division of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, 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.
