Bluff man gets probation for cattle rustling scheme

Daily American Republic

DONIPHAN, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff, Mo., man suspected as the leader in a tri-county cattle theft operation was sentenced to probation.

During a court appearance this week in Ripley County, Leslie "Tator" Armor, 62, of the 1100 block of Kinzer Street entered an Alford plea to stealing before Judge Paul McGhee.

An Alford plea is a defendant's concession that the state has enough evidence for the court to find the defendant guilty and has the effect of a guilty plea.

Armor was given a suspended imposition of his sentenced and placed on supervised probation for three years.

McGhee ordered that Armor pay court costs and restitution as determined by the state; his defense attorney, Matt Edmundson, and the Office of Probation and Parole.

The restitution reportedly is for the value of five head of cattle that were not recovered during the investigation by the Poplar Bluff Police Department and Wayne County Sheriff's Department.

Armor was initially accused in the theft of nine head of cattle on Jan. 13, 2000, from the Poplar Bluff Sale Barn.