Oklahoma Commissioner Indicted on Larceny
Oklahoma County Commissioner Charged With Cattle Larceny, Fraudulent Branding
LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) -- A county commissioner in north-central Oklahoma was indicted by a multi-county grand jury on 10 felonies including larceny of cattle and could face up to 10 years in prison.
Kay County Commissioner Shane Douglas Jones, 36, who was charged with nine counts of branding with intent to defraud and one count of larceny of livestock turned himself in to authorities, according to the Oklahoma attorney general's office.
According to investigators, Jones was hired by a cattle auction company to transport livestock between Jan. 1, 2025, and Feb. 12, 2025.
The indictment states that Jones allegedly took at least nine cows and branded them as his own.
Those cattle belonged to another elected official, according to the indictment. The owner is Jeff Schieber, president of the Newkirk Board of Education in northern Kay County.
Schieber and Jones both testified before the multi-county grand jury that is convened for 18 months, starting on Dec. 16, 2024.
"Cattle theft is a serious crime that undermines Oklahoma's agricultural industry," Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in a statement. "We aren't afraid to vigorously prosecute those who steal livestock, regardless of their position in the community."
Jones bonded out of jail on $10,000, according to press reports, and is set for his first court appearance on Aug. 8, 2025.
If convicted, Jones faces between three and 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $500,000 for one count of larceny of livestock.
The other nine counts of branding with intent to defraud, according to the AG's office, are punishable with three to 10 years in prison or a fine of $500 to $1,000 for each count.
According to The Oklahoman, Jones ran unopposed for the Kay County Board of Commissioners in 2022 for the seat representing Ponca City in north-central Oklahoma.
In recent years, other Kay County commissioners have faced charges.
The Oklahoman reported this week that former commissioner Tyron Rowe was charged in 2017 with one count of racketeering, six counts of embezzlement and nine misdemeanors.
Another Kay County commissioner Dee Schieber also faced seven misdemeanors.
Rowe served 90 days in county jail and jurors found Schieber guilty in 2020 and recommended six months in jail and a $500 fine. The Oklahoman said Schieber served nine months in jail. In addition, former Kay County commissioner Wayne Leven also was convicted in the case.
Todd Neeley can be reached at todd.neeley@dtn.com
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