Oklahoma Panhandle Man Accused of Writing Fraudulent Checks to Buy Cattle, Horses, Semi

GUYMON, Oklahoma (KVII) — A Guymon man is accused of writing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of fraudulent checks to buy cattle, horses and a semi-truck.

According to the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA), Truth Allen Stephens wrote a $187,650 check from a closed bank account in March to buy 139 cows and 46 newborn calves from a rancher in Okmulgee County.

He then transported the cattle to western Oklahoma to sell them.

When the rancher discovered the check was not valid, he tried to contact Stephens. But Stephens avoided the victim, refusing to provide a valid form of payment, according to TSCRA.

“Stephens purchased additional large sets of cattle, along with horses, tack and a Peterbilt semi-truck using the same sequence of checks from the closed checking account,” said TSCRA Special Ranger Bart Perrier.

He was arrested May 4.

Perrier said anyone who agrees to sell cattle or personal property through private sales should not accept personal checks without prior verification. He suggests you either require a cashier’s check or a wire transfer.

If you think you may be a victim of Stephens, call Perrier at 918-440-8360.