TAHLEQUAH —
Three men have been charged for allegedly conspiring to steal cattle from a Cherokee County man.
Prosecutors are charging the three with 10 counts each of larceny of domestic animals, and one count each of conspiracy to commit a felony. The men charged include Keith Edward Rock, 50, of Checotah; Nathan A. Deckard, 28, of Tahlequah; and Joel A. Maker, 50, of Tahlequah.
Rock was arrested in November for taking 10 head of cattle from Speedy and Scott Chaffin. Sheriff’s deputies said a member of the Chaffin family came upon Rock as he was driving away with a trailer full of cattle, and realized they were his family’s animals.
Deputies responded as the family followed Rock’s truck around the area. Rock later drove back to where the cattle had been taken, and was arrested for larceny.
Sheriff’s Investigator Harold Thomas began working the case with assistance from Patrick Blake, a special agent and investigator for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food an Forestry.
According to Blake, he and Thomas went to the pasture where the Chaffins’ cattle were and discovered feed and hay on the ground outside the corrals. Blake said it appeared someone used the food to entice cattle into the corral, where they were later penned in and loaded onto the cattle trailer. Deckard lives just a few feet away, Blake said; Maker previously lived just east of the location.
Investigators spoke to Deckard, who allegedly admitted he worked with Maker to catch the animals and load them onto the trailer.
Deckard allegedly told the investigators he and Maker had discussed stealing the cattle at least two weeks prior, and Deckard was expecting up to $200 as payment for his help.
Thomas said Maker and Deckard were in the truck with Rock when the Chaffins caught it driving away in November, but the two hid inside and were able to slip away when Rock drove back to the pasture.
Investigators learned the three men had conspired in phone calls and via text messages to take the cattle with the intention of having them sold in McAlester.
Rock bonded out of the Cherokee County Detention Center in November, and warrants were issued this week for Maker and Deckard.
Thomas said Deckard was set to turn himself in Friday morning, but investigators have been unable to locate Maker.
Anyone with information about Maker’s location is asked to call the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at (918) 456-2583.
Local News
Three charged with cattle rustling
- Local News
-
-
From Dinosaurs to Greece
Children attending the Northeastern State University Continuing Education and College of Liberal Arts Second Century Summer Camps for Kids aren’t just getting adult supervision. The kids are enjoying their summer vacations, and experiencing fun and informative educational programs in a college setting.
-
Tailholt community introduces ‘fun day’
A Tailholt Family Fun Fest and Dad’s Day Out brought dozens of people to the Caney Community Center Saturday to celebrate fathers and their community.
-
Airbag module may offer clues to crash
State troopers are seeking the airbag control module from a truck that crashed into a tree in the Keys area early Saturday morning, killing two local teenagers and critically injuring others.
-
Fatalities could raise new concerns about riding in the back of pickups
A spokesman for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol says troopers “strongly discourage” people from riding in truck beds, although state law doesn’t specifically restrict them from doing so.
-
Suspicious vehicle lands two in jail on meth-related arrests
Two people were arrested on methamphetamine-related charges Tuesday morning after deputies were asked to check on a suspicious vehicle near Opal McKee Trailer Park.
-
Thriving on culture
Northeastern State University began as the Cherokee Female Seminary and was established prior to statehood. It has a long and storied history ntertwined with the Cherokee Nation, and to this day, it offers degree programs and outreach opportunities for American Indians.
-
CN Tribal Council election this Saturday
Cherokee citizens will take to the voting booths Saturday, June 22, as eight tribal council seats are up for grabs. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in all seven districts.
-
Teens killed in area crash were TPS students
Two Tahlequah teenagers are dead after a pickup carrying several young people crashed early Saturday morning at the intersection of Indian Road and Pettit Bay Road.
-
Diamondhead to host Red Dirt music festival
Barbara and Kevin Kelly, owners of Diamondhead Resort on State Highway 10 on the Illinois River, have worked for years to create a fun, festival atmosphere. That includes floating, camping, swimming, as well as hosting a variety of musical guests.
-
Market offers homemade goods
The Cookson Hills Center United Methodist Mission Farmers’ Market was born on a whim.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Ex-Hit Man's Past Is a Shock to Some Neighbors
Fans: Gandofini 'Put New Jersey on the Map'
Does Future of Human Race Depend on Kansas Mine?
Reining in 'Bad News' Sports Parents
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion
Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial
Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day
Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
