World Champion Bullfighter Pleads Guilty To Cattle Theft

[Anonymous]

I sure hate to see this...Matt is a former Montana boy- and former Lloyd Ketchum protoge....I love to watch him fight bulls- altho I don't think he ever got as good as Ketchum was in his top days....

7/1/2009 4:23:00 PM


TSCRA: World Champion Bullfighter Pleads Guilty To Cattle Theft



Fort Worth, Texas - After an eight-month investigation, a cattle theft case in Pittsburg County, Okla., is finally closed after a rodeo bullfighter pled guilty to felony embezzlement of cattle.



On June 16, Michael Eugene Matt, 36, of Blanco, Texas, was sentenced to a five-year deferred sentence, including supervised probation and was ordered to pay nearly $15,000 in restitution after assisting in the theft of 300 head of cattle worth approximately $244,000 from a California couple who owned a ranch in Oklahoma.



Matt is a four-time world champion Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and Professional Bull Riders (PBR) bullfighter and rodeo performer.

Traven Wayne Clifft, 22, of McAlester, Okla., was hired by the couple in 2005 to manage the Oklahoma ranch. Investigations revealed that Clifft sold the cattle at area cattle auctions and deposited the money into his and Matt's personal checking accounts. Clifft pled guilty in February to three counts of felony embezzlement of cattle and was sentenced to five years deferred sentence with supervised probation and more than $130,000 in restitution.

The sentences follow an eight month investigation led by Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger John Cummings.

"I would like to thank Doy Sennett of the Pittsburgh County Sheriff's Office, Sgt. Mike Hicks with the Texas Department of Public Safety, TSCRA Special Ranger Max Hartmann and the Pittsburgh County District Attorney's office for all their hard work on this case," Cummings said. "I am proud to be part of the team effort that brought this case to a successful conclusion and in working toward the ultimate goal of obtaining restitution for the hard working ranchers in our state."

TSCRA has 29 special rangers stationed strategically throughout Texas and Oklahoma who have in-depth knowledge of the cattle industry and are trained in all facets of law enforcement. All are commissioned as Special Rangers by the Texas Department of Public Safety and/or the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

 

[Justin]

wow, now that is a suprise! does he still fight bulls? i can't figure out these guys that think that they are so good they won't be caught. I know there are a few out there that have pulled it off. i can' t see where it would be worth the risk :? desperate and stupid people do desperate and stupid things.

 

[leanin' H]

This is gonna sound pretty political but I don't care! Can you see why CHARACTER counts? People who say liars and cheaters are just human amaze me! This guy might have been on top of the world but he broke the law and was convicted! Now he is merely another criminal! Dishonest people are one of the lowest forms of life in my book! They destroy trust and breed cynisism! Athletes, Politicians and everyday Joe's! If your dishonest, you need to reap exactly what you sow!

 

[sic 'em reds]

I used to live near there family when I was real young. Was good friends with his little brother. Guess it's pretty easy to get in with the wrong crowd.

 

[Silver]

I used to live near there family when I was real young. Was good friends with his little brother. Guess it's pretty easy to get in with the wrong crowd.

None the less, good character would have made him draw the line. There is no excuse. Sounds to me like he got off pretty light, probably because it was 'only cattle'. I'm sure if he was involved in stealing $300,000 worth of stock, bonds, investments or the like he'd be in the clink for a good deal longer. I sure hope he ends up paying the imposed restitution, which still seems pretty light to me in light of the lost revenue the victims will have suffered.