Vigilante cattlemen arrested for beating alleged rustler

Brett Wessler, Staff Writer  |  Updated: 04/26/2012

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A New Mexico father and son face felony assault charges for beating a man they believe was trying to steal their cattle.

Cibola County Sheriff’s Deputies said the two cattle ranchers, James Bruce Latham, 80, and his son Brad, 55, beat Troy Elkins with sticks, an ax handle and brass knuckles after attempting to run him over in their car.

KRQE.com reports some in the community think Elkins got off easy after he stole cattle from the Latham ranch years ago. Elkins served a year in jail after he attempted to sell the stolen cattle at an auction following a 2006 investigation. He has been in and out of jail over the past five years for violating probation.

 The Lathams claim Elkins is rustling again and, according to the criminal complaint, Elkins “got what he deserved.”


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Eric    
Nebraska  |  April, 27, 2012 at 11:07 AM

I agree. He got what he deserved! We have become a society where there are minimal or no conseqences for criminal actions. Maybe if criminals had a fear that they may be beaten or severely injured if caught during their act, they might think twice. However, now days it is often the victim who is getting the punishment.

Ron Odell    
Amarillo, TX  |  April, 27, 2012 at 12:50 PM

I remember a Brand Inspector in New Mexico who once told the rancher is was working for to shoot the SOBs on sight if we saw them on the ranch again. Times have certainly changed.

danny    
mo  |  April, 28, 2012 at 07:25 AM

We have taken the brand inspector advice from years ago shoot first then we'll work out the details. My wife and I each have a ak-15 orc 30 round clips we practice on avrege 400 to 500 rounds a week. 20 years ago we avereged aout ten to twenty head a year stolen. I don't think its owning these rifles that detour theft . just that neighbor that hears us practice have probably told someone that they know that those peolple with those auto rifles are just a little bit crazy

J.R.    
MS  |  April, 28, 2012 at 10:50 AM

The law breakers have more rights than the victims now. I think vigilantie justice works much better, and make the jails and prisons just that not a resort with bars. Then maybe would be criminals would think twice before doing something.

Roger Day    
Tennessee  |  April, 28, 2012 at 02:56 PM

This one is easy. As an attorney and a cattle farmer, the District Attorney should look at the facts, decide not to prosecute and dismiss the case. They have the prosecutorial discretion to do this. The Lathams shouldn't worry, as we say in Tennessee "Some people just need beating".

Sam    
cow country  |  April, 29, 2012 at 06:52 PM

Seems to me that their worst mistake was leting him get away.

Diana    
Idaho  |  May, 13, 2012 at 10:11 PM

We are a modern nation of laws. Vigilantism has no place.