The Texas Department of Agriculture said Sept. 1 that its investigators helped law enforcement agencies unravel an alleged organized grain-theft operation spanning multiple Texas counties, leading to the arrests of three men. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller praised both TDA personnel and the sheriff’s offices and police departments that worked the case.
The case illustrates how agricultural records can support criminal investigations. According to the agency’s release, what began as a single grain-theft complaint in Guadalupe County grew into a months-long statewide investigation that authorities have connected to 176 stolen loads of grain weighing approximately 9.12 million pounds. TDA said it uncovered additional loads that were potentially stolen, bringing the total under active investigation to more than 200, valued at more than $800,000.
The investigation began March 11, when the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office received a report of grain theft on Barbarossa Road, the release said. TDA was notified March 26 and worked closely with the Texas Department of Public Safety throughout. Through its Grain Warehouse Program, which regulates public grain warehouses, the agency maintains specialized expertise in the records used to track the storage, handling, weighing and movement of grain. TDA personnel reviewed warehouse records, examined scale weight tickets, identified potentially affected facilities and helped investigators trace activity across multiple jurisdictions, according to the release.
“This was an alleged organized operation targeting Texas agriculture on a massive scale, and I’m damn proud the Texas Department of Agriculture helped law enforcement follow the trail,” Miller said in the release. He also commended Sheriff Joshua Ray and investigators at the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office, who he said “could have looked at that first complaint as an isolated theft” but instead “kept digging, followed the evidence, crossed county lines, and brought in the partners they needed.”
The Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office coordinated with TDA, DPS, the Navarro, Ellis, Williamson and Frio county sheriff’s offices, and the Taylor Police Department, the release said. Authorities arrested Larry Regalado, 57, of New Braunfels; Ricky Regalado, 52, of Smiley; and Pablo Franco Jr., 46, of Atascosa County. Each faces charges including theft of property, engaging in organized criminal activity, and stealing grain or receiving stolen grain. The investigation remains active, and authorities have indicated additional arrests are possible.
Miller framed the case as a warning. “Here’s my message to anybody who thinks our farmers, ranchers, grain operators, or rural communities are easy targets: think again,” he said. The agency asked that any additional theft reports be directed to TDA and the Texas Department of Public Safety.