Department of Agriculture and Forestry, State of Louisiana - Mike Strain DVM, Commissioner

Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said a Benton man has been accused of stealing more than $64,000 worth of timber.

Randall Lee Harvill, 67, 1854 Linton Rd, was arrested Thursday, Feb. 16, at the Bossier Parish Maximum Security Prison by Forestry Enforcement Manager Jim Baldwin of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF).

Harvill allegedly logged and sold 28 acres of timber owned by the Cypress-Black Bayou Recreation and Water Commission.

Harvill was also charged with criminal damage to property because he allegedly built a 1,414-foot long levee on the Commission’s property.

Harvill’s bond was set at $20,000.

The Forestry Enforcement Division is responsible for enforcing criminal laws pertaining to the protection of forest woodlands such as, but not limited to: arson, theft, burglary, simple criminal damage to property, etc.

To report a timber theft, call the LDAF Baton Rouge headquarters at 855-452-5323.

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