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

Livestock Brand Commission officers with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, working with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, arrested a Krotz Springs man and charged him with six counts of livestock theft for allegedly shooting and taking six calves, Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said.

Richard Van Lacassin, Jr., 30, of Krotz Springs was booked by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office following an investigation.

The Livestock Brand Commission received a complaint through the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office that a St. Landry Parish cattleman reported several calves missing from his pasture and suspected someone was stealing them.

Livestock Brand Commission Officer Johnny Steib and Detective Dwayne Fontenot of the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested Lacassin.

Lacassin admitted to shooting and taking six calves from the cattleman’s pasture during questioning.

Livestock Brand Commission investigators have regulatory powers authorizing them to investigate farm related crimes.

“We take cattle theft very seriously in Louisiana,” Strain said. “Farm animals are valuable property and thieves will be prosecuted.”

Strain urged livestock owners to keep good records and report any possible thefts to the LDAF Crimestoppers hotline at 1-800-558-9741.

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