Arizona man pleads guilty in El Paso cattle theft, ordered to pay $50,416

Jason Lenstrom pleaded guilty to all charges after a 2021 incident in El Paso where he was accused of livestock theft.

According to a news release from the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, or TSCRA, Lenstrom purchased 126 head of cattle from the Rio Grande Classic Livestock Auction, held in El Paso on Jan. 19 and Feb. 2, 2021.

The cost of the cattle was more than $50,000, which Lenstrom paid with three checks that were later declined due to insufficient funds, according to the news release.

Clay McKinney, a special ranger with the TSCRA, was contacted to help arrange the payment from Lenstrom, but Lenstrom “failed to settle his debts,” which led to a criminal investigation.

Lenstrom was indicted by a grand jury in El Paso County on three felony counts of theft of livestock and one felony count of theft of property.

Lenstrom pleaded guilty in late February. He was sentenced to nine years of deferred adjudication probation, ordered to pay the $50,416.98 and serve 250 hours of community service.

Email El Paso Inc. reporter Sara Sanchez at sesanchez@elpasoinc.com or call 915-534-4422.