Sperry, Skiatook Men Charged With Cattle Thefts

<p>Cody Joseph Porter of Sperry and Michael Joseph Demaro of Skiatook face five counts of larceny of domestic animals after an investigation by Special Ranger Bart Perrier, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.</p>

Wednesday, September 26th 2018, 5:14 pm

By: News On 6

Sperry, Skiatook Men Charged With Cattle Thefts

Two local men have been charged with cattle rustling after an investigation by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. Cody Joseph Porter of Sperry and Michael Joseph Demaro of Skiatook face five counts of larceny of domestic animals.

Special Ranger Bart Perrier said the investigation began after cattle thefts were reported this summer near Avant in Osage County where three different victims said they had calves stolen from pastures.

Perrier discovered the cattle had been sold through livestock auctions in Oklahoma and Kansas, and records linked Porter and Demaro to the sales, a news release states.

Demaro was arrested June 5, 2018, by Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office and Porter on July 10, 2018. Both men are awaiting arraignment in Osage County.

Porter, 32, will be held on a $70,000 bond and Demaro, 43, on a $25,000 bond.

Porter was arrested in 2016 and 2015 for similar crimes. Oklahoma Department of Corrections records show he was released from prison in February, 2018, and was still on probation for the previous charges at the time of his most recent arrest.

Both men been incarcerated since their arrests, according to authorities.

Each charge carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.