Bonham Livestock owners indicted

By LORI COPE | East Texas Edition

October 10, 2002 -- Felony indictments against Bonham Livestock auction barn owners Ronnie Gibbs and Dorothy Gibbs were returned on Oct. 2. The indictments are in regards to over $250,000 in "hot checks" issued by the sale barn in August, according to District Attorney Miles Porter.

Mr. Gibbs was indicted on first degree felony charges of theft by check, and Mrs. Gibbs on second degree felony charges.

A total of 115 checks have been turned over in to the district attorney's office, Porter said on Oct. 3. The checks total $267,000.

Investigation into the matter continues, Porter added, by his office, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the USDA's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.

A criminal trial date on the theft by check charges will be determined soon.

Mr. Gibbs also faces a civil trial after Surety Bank of Whitesboro named him and Independent Bank of Anna in a lawsuit filed on Aug. 15.