A southeastern North Dakota man has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to stealing more than 130 head of cattle in a case that resulted in significant financial losses for two producers, according to the North Dakota Stockmens Association.

Daniel Wayne Dockter, 44, of Colfax, was ordered to report to jail by noon Thursday following his sentencing Wednesday in Richland County District Court.

Dockter pleaded guilty July 30 to four charges, including two Class A felony counts of theft of property exceeding $50,000 and two Class A misdemeanor counts related to the unlawful transport of livestock out of state.

How Affordable Is It To Buy A Home In North Dakota Right Now

He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with eight years suspended. Dockter is required to serve two years in custody, followed by three years of supervised probation. The court also ordered him to pay $341,000 in restitution to the victims.

According to court records, Dockter had been feeding cattle for two producers under share agreements when the animals went missing. One producer lost 93 cows and three bulls valued at more than $460,000, while the second lost 40 cows valued at about $190,000.

Authorities said Dockter told the producers the cattle were being held at a feedlot in South Dakota, but investigators later determined no such facility existed.

Williston North Dakota Airshow Set for High-Flying Excitement

The case was investigated by the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association, with Deputy Brand Inspector Nick Marolt leading the effort, along with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Fallon Kelly served as special prosecutor.

Get our free mobile app

Randy Schmitt, president of the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association, said cattle theft has serious consequences for producers.

“Every animal represents years of investment, hard work and careful stewardship,” Schmitt said in a statement. “When someone steals cattle, they’re stealing from families and businesses that depend on those animals.”

SOLD: Minnesota's 'Mushroom House' aka 'Flintstone House' Has A New Owner

Welcome to 1401 Mississippi Ave — known around Duluth for more than fifty years as "The Mushroom House" or "The Flinstone House."

The 5-bedroom, 3-bath house was built in 1970 using an innovative foam-shell construction method. The home's triple-dome design creates curved walls, soaring dome ceilings, and spaces that feel more sculpted than built.

The main level of this 2,800 square foot home opens into a sunken living room with a built-in sofa and a dramatic wall of seven-foot patio doors leading to a wraparound deck overlooking the trees.

The arched kitchen carries the home's organic geometry throughout, with a breakfast bar that feels as much like it belongs in an art installation as in a home.

The primary bedroom offers vaulted ceilings and epoxy flooring. A second bedroom and three-quarter bath complete the main floor.

Head downstairs, and the walk-out lower level opens into a spacious great room with beamed ceilings, a wood-burning fireplace, and patio access to the wooded backyard. Three additional bedrooms, a full bath, a half bath, and a laundry room create flexibility for whatever the next owner needs.

However, what makes this home truly remarkable is not just what it looks like; it is what has been done to protect it.

In 2021, new epoxy flooring was installed throughout the primary bedroom and lower-level family room, new carpet went into the lower-level bedrooms and upper office, the sewer lateral was replaced, and a full-house dehumidifier and whole-home ozone air scrubber were added.

In 2022, the exterior received a professional repaint with UV-resistant paint, and all skylights were sealed.

In 2024, all 16 windows were replaced. The home sits on a private, wooded 0.60-acre lot in Kenwood, within walking distance to the University of Minnesota Duluth and the College of St. Scholastica, with a two-stall attached garage with loft storage rounding out the package.

The home went back on the market in Duluth in May 2026 for $369,999. It ultimately sold for more than that asking price. You can see the closing price in the final picture.

Gallery Credit: Alicia Lokke with The Lokke Group at Messina & Associates Real Estate

The Top 10 Most Shoplifted Items at Target!

Source: Colfax Man Gets Prison Time For Stealing 130 Cattle Worth Half A Million

Filed Under: North Dakota

Categories: Articles, Local News