NEWS RELEASE
	Larry Long South Dakota Attorney General	Mark Barnett Chief Deputy Attorney General

For Immediate Release, 10/4/2004

For More Information, Contact: Sara Rabern: (605) 773-3215

WATERTOWN MAN CONVICTED IN CATTLE FRAUD CASE

PIERRE, S.D. –   Attorney General Long said that Phillip K. Cyre, 52, Watertown was convicted by a Meade County jury on 16 counts of grand theft on September 27, 2004. 

The case stemmed from allegations that Cyre, CEO of Sturgis Meat Service fraudulently obtained money from several area ranchers to fund a value added beef processing facility. The scheme ended when Sturgis Meat Service ended up in bankruptcy and Cyre and two others were charged.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Deputy Attorney General Mark Barnett and Assistant Attorney General Todd Love and investigated by Division of Criminal Investigation.

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