The time-honored Kay County Commissioner tradition of being indicted and sent to jail is still going strong!
Earlier today, Shane Jones – a good ole’ boy who Governor Stitt appointed to office in 2022 – became the fourth Kay County Commissioner to be indicted since 2010.
Unlike former commissioners Wayne Leven, Tyson Rowe, and Dee Schieber – all of whom were tried, convicted, and jailed on embezzlement charges – Shane opted for a more rustic set of felonies like “branding with intent to defraud” and “livestock larceny.”
Here are the details via something called the Kay County Cow:
Kay County Commissioner Shane Douglas Jones, 37, Ponca City, was booked in the Kay County Detention Center this week on nine felony counts of branding with intent to defraud and one felony count of larceny of livestock.
I’ll be honest with you, until about 30 minutes ago, I assumed “branding with intent to defraud” was the equivalent of false advertising. You know, something like…
“Did you hear Bob Mills was arrested for branding with intent to defraud? I guess a grand jury investigated them and, turns out, they actually do stalk their shoppers!”
But apparently that’s not it.
I guess “branding with intent to defraud” is what happens when you steal a cow, goat, or water buffalo, and then slap your own hot iron on it.
Court documents show that the charges were filed by the Attorney’s General Office after Jones was indicted by the Twenty First Multi-County Grand Jury, which convened in Oklahoma City beginning on Dec. 16, 2024.
Investigators report that Jones was hired by a cattle auction facility (Newkirk Sale Barn) to transport livestock between Jan. 1 and Feb. 12. During that time, Jones is accused of stealing nine cows from Jeff Schieber with the intent to deprive him of the livestock.
Jones is accused of willfully branding the stolen cattle with intent to defraud.
I know I’m a city mouse and don’t fully understand ranching, but if you steal a cow, why would you willfully put your own brand on it? That’s like writing your name and home address on the license plate of a truck you just stole.
Here’s what AG Drummond had to say about the crime:
“Cattle theft is a serious crime that undermines Oklahoma’s agricultural industry,” said Attorney General Gentner Drummond in a press release. “We aren’t afraid to vigorously prosecute those who steal livestock, regardless of their position in the community.”
While we’re on the topic of “time-honored traditions,” I’d like to thank Attorney General Gentner Drummond for continuing another Oklahoma classic: vigorously protecting the art of selective law enforcement.
I’m not condoning cattle theft, but it’s interesting to note that if you nearly kill an elderly man for tapping your chest, the AG will look the other way and even defend you.
But if you slap your brand on another man’s cow? Well, we’re going to hunt you down with the Pioneer Women’s dogs and make an example out of you.
Anyway, now that Shane’s been arrested and is likely headed to jail, I assume Kay County will soon be in the market for yet another county commissioner. It’ll be fun to see who Kevin Stitt appoints next — and what crime they end up committing down the line.
Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.
