WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2025 – On July 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entered into a Consent Decision and Order with Jerry Stokes of Garrison, Texas, settling an administrative complaint filed by USDA on March 14, 2025, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
A USDA Agricultural Marketing Service investigation revealed that Stokes failed to timely pay for 2,310 head of livestock, valued at $1,319,885 from Nov. 2021 through April 2022. In addition, during the same time frame, Stokes issued nonsufficient funds checks for livestock purchases, which were subsequently paid in full.
Under the Consent Decision and Order, Mr. Stokes was assessed a $9,000 civil penalty and suspended from all operations subject to the Act and regulations for a period of seven days, beginning on Aug. 10, 2025.
The P&S Act requires subject entities to issue the full payment for livestock by the close of the first business day following purchase and transfer of possession. Failure to issue timely payment for livestock purchases and failure to issue the full payment for purchases is an unfair trade practice and a violation of the P&S Act and regulations
The Secretary of Agriculture has authority to take action against violators, including issuing orders to cease and desist, suspending registrations, and applying other appropriate remedies as authorized by the P&S Act.
For information about the P&S Act, contact Amy Blechinger, Packers and Stockyards Division, at (202) 720-7051 or Amy.R.Blechinger@usda.gov.
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