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WAHPETON - Daniel Wayne Dockter, 44, of Colfax, was ordered to surrender to jail by noon Friday, July 31, following his sentencing in Southeast District Court in Richland County Thursday, July 30, for the theft of more than 130 head of cattle.
According to North Dakota Stockmen’s Association information, Dockter pleaded guilty July 30 to four counts - two Class A felonies for theft of more than $50,000 and two Class A misdemeanors for the unlawful transport of livestock from the state.
Dockter received a 10-year sentence, with eight years suspended. He will serve two years before being placed on three years of supervised probation. He also was ordered to pay $341,000 in restitution to two victims. Dockter had been feeding their cattle under share agreements, but the cattle disappeared. One producer was out 93 cows and three bulls valued at $460,500, and the other was out 40 cows valued at $190,000. When the producers asked where their animals were, Dockter allegedly told them they were at a South Dakota feedlot, which was later determined not to exist.
North Dakota Stockmen's Association (NDSA) Deputy Brand Inspector Nick Marolt led the investigation with support from the Richland County Sheriff's Department, the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation and special prosecutor Fallon Kelly.
"Every animal represents years of investment, hard work and careful stewardship," said Randy Schmitt, NDSA president, a Rugby cow-calf producer. "When someone steals cattle, they're stealing from families and businesses that depend on those animals. We are grateful to everyone involved in ensuring justice was served and for protecting the integrity of North Dakota's livestock industry."