The guy who runs our lease took our money but didn’t pay the rancher. How do we get our money back

You typically don't. Unless you want to throw good money at bad money...

Watch Casino for some ideas

Could you sell his stuff still on the lease to re-coop your money trailer 4 wheeler etc.

Vice Grips is the first thing I thought of.

Get big Bubba

Or just a vice.

Sure why not.

I hate this for you, sorry.
Let me know if I can help in any way

Small claims court. Everybody that paid him and had their money stolen needs to start at small claims court. Then, you might actually get the attention of the local DA, but don’t hold your breath.

Like 2Beez said, mostly throwing good money after bad

Not all DA’s offices, actually Dallas is the only one I know of, has their thumb on the warrant process from law enforcement agencies. Depending on the totality of the circumstances, you might go by the Sheriff’s Office and see if they believe it’s something they would investigate and hopefully issue a PC warrant. The worst they can tell you is that it’s a civil matter.

Because he could report his property stolen. Bad idea. Play this out in your head. He reports his property stolen, names you as a suspect, officer asks you if you took, and sold his property, you answer yes and start to explain why you felt that you had a right to his stuff as you are placed in handcuffs, charged with a felony.

Did you get a receipt?

Did you sign a lease agreement?

hopefully not cash!

I always assume theres another side to the story. Does he have some type of excuse or is it just blatant theft? If you want sincere help you may want to offer some details.

Also, something to consider when going the legal route, it will cost you way more money to get the money you put in back out, if you even get that money back. The lawyers always make the most in any kind of lawsuit, whether small claims or big claims. And just getting an award or judgement against someone doesnt mean squat, getting tangible money out of that award or settlement then costs you a lot more money. Usually you will spend hundreds if not thousands to get a couple dollars back, so factor that into any direction you want to go...

"He sold it to all of us on the lease for cash."

OK, steal a couple of vehicles, sell them, then lie about it. More bad advice.

If someone rips you off in a business deal, that sucks and there are remedies. Becoming a criminal to settle a debt with a criminal isn't a good idea.

Just think of all the additional entertaining posting content it would create.

As for my experience with Small Claims Court, I don’t know why I even bothered. If you do try that approach, do it in the county where the theft was made. You’ll show up at the court but the thief won’t. The judge will quickly rule in your favor. And then….and then. You won, but how do you get your money. If he lives in that county, you might have a chance if the county cops are bored. Maybe.

A new reality TV show, "Deer Lease Court".

As I said, just becasue you won an award or a judgement dosn't mean squat....you will end up spending gobs of money to get pennies.

Unless this was a lease that the payment was in the hundreds of thousands, IT AINT WORTH IT.

Even tens of thousands it isn't worth it. Lawyers fees alone eat that in one day, and I guarantee it will take a lot long than a days work to get anything done.

Yall need to find this guy who took your money and take him to a place that will remind him right a way where that money is.

I like winning awards