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NEWS
LaSalle Parish Man Arrested Second Time in Timber Theft
October 2, 2014
Baton Rouge, La. (October 2, 2014) – A joint investigation by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) and the LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office has resulted in a second arrest of a Jena man on felony timber theft charges.
Thirty-nine year old James Marcus Ainsworth of 254 Joiner Road was arrested Thursday morning by forestry investigators and booked into the LaSalle Parish jail on one count of felony timber theft of more than $28,808.06.
Investigators say a complaint was filed by a Jena couple who hired Ainsworth to log their property in September and October 2013. The landowners were promised between $30,000 and $40,000 for their timber. Investigators say the owners received less than $15,000.
LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said, “Following a thorough investigation by our agents, it was determined that Ainsworth delivered 70 loads of timber to three different mills and received more than $57,900 for timber that was cut off the property. These loads had the landowner’s name listed on the load tickets.”
Ainsworth was originally arrested in September by forestry agents and booked into the LaSalle Parish jail on one count of felony timber theft of more than $10,400. At the time, investigators say a complaint was filed by a Jena couple who hired Ainsworth to log their property in August 2013. The landowners were paid $2,600 for nine loads of timber which was much less than they were promised.
Landowners who may have done business with Ainsworth are asked to contact the LDAF office at (225) 925-4500.
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