Accused Sperry Cattle Rustler Turns Himself In

A man accused of rustling cattle has turned himself into the Osage County Sheriff's Office.

Terry Lee Jett Jr., 40, is charged with stealing 16 head of cattle from an Osage County rancher who hired the Sperry resident to catch and pen his cattle.

Jett instead took the cattle to two livestock sales and sold them.

Special Ranger Bart Perrier of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association led the investigation. He said livestock thefts have been increasing.

"The most important thing a rancher can do to protect their livestock from being stolen is to brand their cattle and register that brand," says Perrier.

9/15/2011 Related Story: Green Country Ranchers See Cattle-Rustling Rash

"Ranchers should also regularly count their cattle, lock their gates, and be overall mindful of who comes on and off their property."

Jett also has charges of knowingly concealing stolen property in both Tulsa and Rogers County. He is free on $5,000 bond for the cattle rustling.