Landmark cattle-rustling case in court

WILLIAMSON CO., TEXAS (KXAN) - It was a historic case that smacked of, well, history: A Wild West-type cattle rustling that netted more than 1,000 head of cattle, easily the largest cattle theft in the history of Williamson County.

The state has rested in the trial of Monte Sharp,45, of Oklahoma, who is charged with felony theft on charges of stealing the cattle from Capitol Land and Cattle Company in October 2005.

Sharp was supposed to be caring for the cattle. They were valued at nearly $700,000. Investigators say Sharp has done this before and has victims as far away as North Carolina.

The defense will present its case in mid November. The case had been delayed because Sharp filed for bankruptcy after his arrest. At the victim's request, the case had been suspended until the bankruptcy case was concluded, allowing the victim to recover some of the money lost in the alleged theft.