Richland County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Colfax man is in custody after cattle theft charges were filed in court.
Daniel Wayne Dockter, of Colfax, is held in the Richland County Jail, according to court records.
He faces two Class A felonies and two Class A misdemeanors.
The case is in North Dakota’s Southeast Judicial District Court.
What the court filing alleges
An unsworn declaration was filed on Feb. 5, 2026.
It was signed by a law officer with the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association.
The filing says an attorney emailed investigators on Dec. 10, 2025.
The attorney represented two cattle owners who worked with Dockter.
The first owner reported 93 cows and three bulls missing.
The filing lists an estimated value of $241,500.
It also lists unpaid 2024 and 2025 calf shares.
That total was 73 calves, valued at nearly $219,000.
The second owner reported 40 cows missing, valued at nearly $100,000.
The filing also lists 30 calves from 2024 and 2025.
It estimates that value at $90,000.
Timeline and search
The filing says the cattle were kept at Dockter’s Colfax property.
It says one owner began hauling cattle there in November 2019.
It says the other owner shipped cattle there in 2021.
The filing says delivery was verified by photos.
The filing says the owners raised concerns for about two years.
It says Dockter gave changing stories about where cattle were located.
The filing says Dockter claimed the cattle were at a South Dakota feedlot.
He called it “Redfords Feedlot.”
Investigators said they could not verify that site.
The filing also says no brand paperwork was found for transport.
It says no records showed the cattle left North Dakota.
Investigators also checked possible sale locations, the filing says.
It mentions Fosston, Minnesota, and the Fergus Falls Livestock Auction.
Those leads produced no confirmed results, the filing says.
Dockter agreed to speak with investigators on Dec. 26, 2025, the filing says.
He said the cattle were on his property.
He also said investigators could not enter.
A search warrant was served on Jan. 8, 2026, the filing says.
Investigators found cattle on the property.
The filing says none carried the owners’ brands.
Estimated losses and charges
The filing estimates one owner’s total loss at $460,500.
It estimates the other owner’s loss at $190,000.
Together, that is about $650,500.
Prosecutors charged Dockter with two counts of theft of property.
They also charged two counts of unlawful transport of livestock from state.
The filing says investigators believe the cattle moved to South Dakota.
It places that move between Jan. 1, 2024, and Jan. 8, 2026.
Records and resources
- North Dakota Courts: case search and public access
- Richland County court location information
- NDSA: missing livestock report guidance
- Minnesota Board of Animal Health: permitted livestock auction markets
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
A cattle rustler.