Tennessee Farm Worker and Accomplice Charged in $114,000 Cattle Theft Scheme

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Tenn. - A longtime farm employee and an alleged accomplice are behind bars after a multi‑year cattle theft scheme that investigators say cost a Tennessee family more than $114,000 in missing livestock.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture confirmed that a Franklin County Grand Jury has indicted Carl Dwayne Lynn, of Franklin County, and Nicholas Carl King, of Grundy County, on charges of theft of property valued between $60,000 and $250,000 and criminal conspiracy.

According to investigators with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Crime Unit and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, the two men sold 94 head of cattle between March 2022 and November 2025 without the owner's knowledge or permission.

A Trusted Employee Accused of Betrayal

The victim told authorities that Lynn had worked for the family for more than 20 years and was entrusted with managing parts of the cattle operation. That trust, investigators say, gave him access to livestock, sale barns, and paperwork - access he allegedly used to quietly funnel cattle off the farm and into unauthorized sales.

Agricultural Crime Unit investigators allege that Lynn and King worked together to move cattle through multiple transactions over a three‑and‑a‑half‑year period, disguising the sales as legitimate while pocketing the proceeds.

A Multi‑Agency Investigation

The case was developed through a joint investigation involving:

Tennessee Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Crime Unit

Franklin County Sheriff's Office

Local livestock markets and sale barns, which assisted in tracking sale records and verifying ownership

Investigators say the pattern of missing cattle and irregular sale activity eventually led the victim to contact authorities, triggering a deeper review of sale receipts, livestock counts, and financial records.

Cattle Theft on the Rise

Across the Southeast, cattle theft cases have increased in recent years as livestock prices remain strong and cattle are relatively easy to move across county and state lines. Law enforcement agencies have emphasized the importance of branding, tagging, and maintaining detailed herd records to help prevent and investigate theft.

Tennessee's Agricultural Crime Unit has handled multiple large‑scale livestock theft cases in recent years, often involving trusted employees or associates with long‑term access to herds.

Next Steps in the Case

Lynn and King are currently being held pending further court proceedings. If convicted, they face significant prison time and restitution requirements under Tennessee law for high‑value agricultural theft.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture encourages producers who suspect livestock theft or irregularities in herd counts to contact law enforcement immediately.