Carthage Cattle Thief Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison

MARSHALL – A Carthage man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison after a jury trial for his involvement with the Sept. 30, 2014, theft of 12 head of cattle and ranching equipment from a Harrison County rancher. The information comes in a news release from the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. Authorities say Michael Duane Nettles, 32, stole the cattle along with three other suspects from Carthage: Stacie Laine Soape, 45; Alex Christopher Hinton, 36; and Elizabeth Ann Newton, 39. Nettles will also be required to pay over $6,000 in attorney’s fees and court costs. Soape, Hinton and Newton are out on bond and await trial in Harrison County.

Seven of the 12 head of cattle, three saddles, assorted tack and numerous power tools were recovered in Panola County. Four black steers and one white heifer are still missing. Anyone with further information regarding the cattle unaccounted for in this case should contact TSCRA’s Operation Cow Thief hotline at 888-830-2333 or call Hand at 903-592-5252.