CHARLOTTE, N.C. — William Dalton Edwards, 25, of Mount Airy, N.C., pleaded guilty to conspiracy for his involvement in a $1 million livestock theft scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Dena J. King for the Western District of North Carolina.

The announcement was made alongside Miles B. Davis, Special Agent in Charge of USDA-OIG Southeast Region, Jason Byrnes, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Charlotte Field Office, Donald “Trey” Eakins, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-CI Charlotte Field Office, Sheriff Alan Norman of Cleveland County, and Sheriff Darren Campbell of Iredell County.

From April 2018 to October 2022, Edwards conspired to defraud livestock markets in North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, and Virginia. Edwards and his co-conspirator wrote worthless checks for cattle purchases, knowing the checks could not be covered due to insufficient funds. The cattle were then transported out-of-state before the fraud was discovered, and resold in Texas and Oklahoma.

The scheme involved over 3,000 head of cattle and caused more than $1 million in losses to livestock markets, including family-owned sales barns in North Carolina. These sales barns are required to pay farmers and ranchers immediately after livestock sales, thus incurring the losses.

Edwards admitted to conspiring to defraud the United States and violating federal laws, including hindering the Packers and Stockyard Division of the USDA, making false statements to financial institutions, and transporting stolen livestock across state lines. The maximum penalty for the offense is five years in prison, along with any restitution or fines ordered by the court.

Edwards is currently released on bond, with a sentencing date yet to be set.

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