SAU probe links 3 to cattle theft

Trio originally accused in case of school’s missing horses

— Lawenforcement agencies on the trail of three suspects in the theft of Southern Arkansas University horses have also uncovered allegations of cattle thefts.

Felony theft-of-property charges have been filed against William Webster “Billy” Hamilton, 38; Wendi Nicole Cox, 38; and George Berish III, 18.

The three are accused of stealing 15 black heifers valued at $10,500 from an Ogden ranch, according to an arrest affidavit prepared by Arkansas State Police special agent Hays McWhirter.

The charges were filed this week in the Little River County circuit clerk’s office. The suspects’ first court appearance is Tuesday in Ashdown.

Hamilton and Cox are charged with felony counts of cruelty to animals and possession of stolen property in the theft of five horses Nov. 3 from SAU’s stables in Magnolia.

Berish is charged with six felony counts of theft involving the SAU horses, a trailer and tack. The combined value of the horses and equipment was listed at $200,000.

No trial dates have been scheduled in the SAU thefts.

Little River County Deputy Brian Tribble made a report Oct. 26 about the theft of 15 heifers from Kenneth Matheson’s ranch in the southeast portion of Little River County.

Matheson said he left his property Oct. 25 and locked the gate. When he returned the next day, the gate was open, the lock gone and he noticed cattle missing.

However, it was June before law-enforcement agencies received a tip about the missing cattle. The cattle had been sold in Oklahoma at the Idabel Stockyards, according to the information.

McWhirter interviewed Hamilton on July 3. Hamilton, who was in custody in the SAU thefts, admitted to helping steal the cows and selling them, according to the affidavit.

Hamilton said that after he received a call from Berish about the location of the cows, Hamilton called Cox, according to the affidavit.

Cox reportedly was Hamilton’s girlfriend at the time.

According to the affidavit, Hamilton said Cox and a youth met Hamilton in Haworth, Okla., and rode with him to Ashdown to pick up Berish. All four then traveled to Ogden to get the cows and haul them to the Idabel sale barn, the affidavit said.

Hamilton said he used his share of the sale money to buy a $3,200 diamond ring for Cox, though Cox wanted money to pay bills, according to the affidavit.

Cox took the ring back to the jewelry store and received a check made out to Hamilton for $3,279.95, according to the affidavit.

During questioning, Berish denied his involvement with the theft of the SAU horses or the cattle, the affidavit said.

Hamilton remains in Columbia County jail in Magnolia, and Berish remains in Bowie County jail in Texarkana, Texas.

Cox was served with the cattle-theft charges Thursday and surrendered at the Columbia County jail.

Cox is the mother of Jaci Rae Jackson, who was arrested Dec. 5 on six charges in the theft of five SAU horses, a trailer and equipment.

Four of the horses were found in McCurtain County, Okla. The animals were malnourished and dehydrated. The fifth horse, Credit Card, was found dead Nov. 25 near Haworth.

Arkansas, Pages 11 on 07/28/2012

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