By: Devin Fry
COLFAX, N.D. (Valley News Live) – A Colfax man faces felony theft charges after two ranchers say more than 130 head of cattle vanished from his property.
Daniel Wayne Dockter, 43, is charged with two counts of theft over $50,000 and unlawful transport of livestock from the state.
Court documents say two ranchers trusted Dockter to care for their cattle under share agreements. One rancher sent 93 cows and three bulls to Dockter’s Richland County property in November 2019. The other sent 40 cows in 2021.
The agreements called for Dockter to care for the cattle and split the calf crop 60-40, but investigators say the cattle disappeared.
When the ranchers asked about their livestock, Dockter allegedly told them the cattle were at a South Dakota feedlot called “Redfords Feedlot.” That feedlot doesn’t exist.
A North Dakota Stockmen’s Association investigator called multiple South Dakota feedlots. None had records of Dockter or the ranchers’ cattle.
The investigator also found no brand inspection records showing Dockter legally transported livestock out of state.
When the investigator called Dockter in December, Dockter claimed the cattle were at his Richland County property. But he refused to let investigators verify.
On Jan. 8, authorities executed a search warrant at Dockter’s property. They found 165 head of cattle. None belonged to the two ranchers.
Court documents say one rancher is missing cattle worth approximately $460,500. The other rancher’s losses total approximately $190,000, based on current market prices.
The charges include unpaid balances for the 2024 and 2025 calf crops.
Dockter also faces a charge of providing false information to law enforcement.
Court records show Dockter pleaded not guilty to the theft charges Feb. 19. He previously pleaded not guilty to the unlawful transport charge Feb. 16.
A preliminary hearing scheduled for March 23 was canceled. Court records show the hearing was waived.
Dockter remains free as the case moves forward.
