Chad Berger, owner of Chad Berger Bucking Bulls, discusses the changing American cattle business, highlighting rising steer prices, decreasing cattle numbers due to land development and an aging rancher population.

A 25-year-old Texas man faces charges after he allegedly bought dozens of cattle with bad checks.

Payton Dean Carroll was charged with felony second-degree cattle theft after purchasing 77 head of cattle from Buffalo Livestock Marketing, Inc., the Leon County Sheriff’s Department said in a release on Saturday.

The alleged theft totaled $159,604.03.

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Payton Dean Carroll was charged with felony second-degree cattle theft after purchasing 77 head of cattle from Buffalo Livestock Marketing, Inc., with bad checks, the Leon County Sheriff’s Department said. (Mario Tama/Getty Images; Leon County Sheriff's Office)

The sheriff’s office’s Criminal Investigations Division began investigating Carroll on July 17 after receiving a report of the alleged crime.

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Cattle rest in a field on June 5, 2026 in Hamilton, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

"Our office extends thanks to Buffalo Police Department, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, and Navarro County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance throughout this investigation," the sheriff’s office said in the release.

The Leon County Sheriff's Office in Centerville Texas. (Google Maps)

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Carroll is from Barry, Texas, according to the sheriff's department.

Brie Stimson is a Los Angeles-based entertainment and breaking news writer for Fox News Digital. 

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