A North Texas man is facing a felony cattle theft charge after authorities say he purchased more than $159,000 worth of cattle using checks that were returned for insufficient funds. According to USA TODAY and KWTX, 25-year-old Payton Dean Carroll of Barry, Texas, was arrested following an investigation by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division. Authorities have accused Carroll of purchasing 77 head of cattle from Buffalo Livestock Marketing Inc. using non-sufficient funds checks. The investigation began on July 17, 2026, after the Leon County Sheriff’s Office received a report regarding the alleged fraudulent transaction. As stated in a release from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office: “Our office extends thanks to Buffalo Police Department, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, and Navarro County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance throughout this investigation.”