A man who passed two forged checks claiming to be from a local cattle auction has been charged with two state jail felonies. James Eric Craddock, 24, of Bandera, is accused of forging and cashing two fraudulent checks in late 2020. Because the checks were from the Gillespie Livestock Company, Texas
A man who passed two forged checks claiming to be from a local cattle auction has been charged with two state jail felonies.
James Eric Craddock, 24, of Bandera, is accused of forging and cashing two fraudulent checks in late 2020.
Because the checks were from the Gillespie Livestock Company, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Mike Barr investigated the case.
Craddock is accused of having created his own checks on a computer, falsely representing checks from the local livestock auction, and taking them to a bank to cash.
On Aug. 30, 2021, a Gillespie County Grand Jury weighed the evidence and elected to indict Craddock on two counts of forgery of a financial instrument. Both charges are state jail felonies, each carrying a penalty of up to two years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
Craddock is currently behind bars at the Kendall County Jail on unrelated charges.
“Livestock auction markets are an important part of our rural communities and the lives of local cattle producers,” said Barr. “When someone defrauds and steals from local businesses, it’s a slap in the face to the whole community, so I’m pleased to see Craddock face justice for his alleged crimes.”
Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association would expressed their appreciation for the Gillespie County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney Lucy Wilke for their assistance in the case.
