Richland Co. rancher accused of theft of over $650,000 worth of livestock

RICHLAND CO., N.D. (KVRR) — A Colfax, North Dakota man is charged in Richland County with the theft of over $650,000 in cattle and the unlawful transport of livestock.

Court documents reveal that Daniel Dockter was in a 40% agreement on the calf crop for cattle from two Benson County, North Dakota ranchers.

One rancher had 93 head of cows and three bulls delivered to Dockter’s property in 2019.

The other rancher had 40 cows moved there in 2021.

But the ranchers got a lawyer involved for unpaid balances and missing cattle.

Their branded cattle could not be found on Dockter’s property.

An investigation found that he told the ranchers their cattle was at a fictitious feedlot in South Dakota.

A search warrant was carried out on his property on January 8, 2026 and of 165 head of cattle, none were branded cattle belonging to the two ranchers.

Dockter faces two counts of felony theft of over $50,000 and two counts of unlawful transport of livestock.

A preliminary hearing set for March 23 has been waived.