William Dalton Edwards, Cattle Theft Conspiracy, North Carolina 2022

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A brazen cattle theft scheme that left North Carolina farmers and Texas ranchers with over $1 million in losses has come to an end with the guilty plea of Mount Airy man William Dalton Edwards.

Edwards, 25, pleaded guilty Tuesday to a conspiracy charge for his role in the theft of over 3,000 head of cattle from sales barns in North Carolina, Virginia, and Texas. The scheme, which ran from April 2018 to October 2022, saw Edwards and his co-conspirator purchase cattle from sales barns and write worthless checks to pay for them.

According to court records, the stolen cattle were then resold in Texas and Oklahoma, with Edwards and his co-conspirator arranging for the livestock to be transported out-of-state before the defrauded sales barns and financial institutions could determine the checks were worthless.

U.S. Attorney Dena J. King commended the USDA-OIG, the U.S. Secret Service, IRS-CI, and the Cleveland and Iredell County Sheriff’s Offices for their investigation of the case. ‘The significant losses suffered by North Carolina farmers and Texas ranchers are a stark reminder of the importance of fair livestock markets,’ King said.

Edwards pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States and to violate the laws of the United States. He faces up to five years in prison and any restitution or fines ordered by the Court at sentencing. Edwards is currently released on bond.

The scheme targeted family-owned sales barns in North Carolina, which are required to pay farmers and ranchers immediately after the sale of their livestock. The losses incurred by these businesses were over $1 million, with the scheme causing significant financial hardship to many in the agricultural community.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Savage is prosecuting the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office commends the Stanly County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance in the investigation.

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