Sugar Land cop charged in cattle theft

SUGAR LAND, TX (KTRK) -- A Sugar Land police officer has been arrested for an old-fashioned Texas crime--cattle rustling.

William Allen, 37, was among four men arrested Wednesday morning. He's gotten the most attention because he wears a badge.

Allen is charged with engaging in organized criminal activity. He is accused of working with Myles Wallace, Justin Sessums and Leon Washington Jr. to steal construction equipment, cattle trailers, pickup trucks and even cattle, all totaling $150,000.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) along with the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office, the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, the Liberty County Sheriff's Office, the Sugar Land Police Department, and Southwestern Cattleman's Association Rangers worked to arrest the four men after a criminal investigation.

Allen is off the job Wednesday evening, his department only saying, "We are aware of his arrest. The officer has been placed on leave pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings and our own internal affairs investigation."

He is out on bond as of Wednesday night. When reached through a family member, Allen declined to comment.