A federal grand jury in Charlotte has indicted Clint Clifford Sicking, 40, from Muenster, Texas, for his involvement in a $780,000 livestock theft scheme, as announced by U.S. Attorney Dena J. King for the Western District of North Carolina.
The indictment alleges that between April 2018 and October 2022, Sicking and William Dalton Edwards, 25, of Mount Airy, North Carolina, defrauded livestock markets in North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, and Virginia. They are accused of writing bad checks to buy cattle, then moving the cattle out of state before the fraud was discovered and reselling them. This scheme reportedly involved over 900 cattle and caused more than $780,000 in losses to family-owned sales barns, which had to pay farmers and ranchers immediately after the sales.
Sicking is charged with conspiracy, bank fraud, livestock theft, and related crimes. The conspiracy charge could result in up to five years in prison, while bank fraud carries a potential 30-year sentence. Additional charges related to livestock theft and transport each carry a maximum of five years in prison.
On August 2, 2024, Edwards pleaded guilty to his role in the scheme, but his sentencing date has not yet been set.
U.S. Attorney King praised the investigative work of various agencies, including the USDA, U.S. Secret Service, IRS, and local sheriff’s offices, and thanked the Stanly County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Savage.
