USDA Issues a Default Decision Against Marshel Riley for Violation of the Packers and Stockyards Act

Date
Friday, October 15, 2021 - 11:00am
Contact Info
Release No.
079-21

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15, 2021 –The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a Decision and Order Without Hearing by Reason of Default against Marshel Riley (Riley) of Jourdanton, Texas, on Aug. 18, 2021, for violation of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.

An investigation by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service revealed that from June 5, 2019, through Dec. 17, 2019, Riley operated as a dealer buying livestock in commerce when he received $87 in commission for purchasing 75 head of livestock for $28,047. Riley engaged in business as a dealer buying livestock on commission in commerce without obtaining the necessary registration and bond or bond equivalent.

Under the Default Decision and Order, Riley was ordered to cease and desist from operating without being properly registered and bonded as required by the P&S Act. Riley is prohibited from registering for 30 days and thereafter until properly bonded.  Riley must pay a civil penalty of $6,000.

The P&S Act requires that every market agency, packer and dealer must execute and maintain a bond applicable to the activity or activities in which the entity engages. Operating without an adequate bond or bond equivalent is a violation of the P&S Act.

The P&S Act is a fair-trade practice and payment protection law that promotes fair and competitive marketing environments for the livestock, meat and poultry industries.

For further information about the Packers and Stockyards Act, contact Kraig Roesch, Packers and Stockyards Division, at (303) 375-4291, or by email at kraig.roesch@usda.gov.

#

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

Get the latest Agricultural Marketing Service news at www.ams.usda.gov/news or follow us on Twitter

@USDA_AMS. You can also read about us on the USDA blog.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender