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NEWS
Man Arrested for Alleged Timber Theft
July 14, 2017
Baton Rouge, LA (July 14, 2017) – A man from Utah is accused of stealing timber from Louisiana landowners in Ouachita and Union Parishes.
Last month, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Enforcement Division received a complaint of theft of timber from a Union Parish landowner. Investigators say Scott Smith of Buckwater Timber, Co. located in Heber City, Utah cut timber for the landowner between April and May of 2016.
Investigators say Smith took eight loads of timber from the landowner and never paid the landowner the value of the timber which is estimated at $8,655.59.
On June 19, 2017, Smith surrendered to authorities and was booked into the Union Parish Detention Center.
“Timber is a valuable commodity in Louisiana that is policed and monitored by our forestry enforcement division. Like anything of value, it is often the target of thieves,” said LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M.
During the investigation in Union Parish, agents discovered Smith allegedly did not pay a Ouachita Parish landowner for 50 loads of timber cut between the months of April and November 2016. The estimated value of that timber is $77,819.84.
On June 23, 2017, Smith was booked into the Ouachita Parish Correctional Center. Smith was released on bond.
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