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

Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Enforcement investigators arrested a Sabine Parish logger Aug. 26 for failing to pay landowners for their timber.

Garvis W. Hickman, 34, 271 Troy T Cutoff Road, Hornbeck La., was arrested and charged with two counts of failure to remit payment for $28,000 worth of timber to the landowners.

The cut timber was taken from the White City community near Hornbeck.

LDAF Forestry Enforcement investigators Charles Earl and Jim Hilton conducted the investigation which led to the arrest. The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office assisted in the arrest.

Judge Stephen Beasley of the 11th Judicial District set bond at $2,500 per count.

Strain urged the public to report any suspected timber theft to the LDAF’s Baton Rouge headquarters at 225-925-4500.

“Timber theft is a serious crime and will be investigated fully by my office,” Strain said.

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