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

NEWS

Texas man arrested on timber theft charges

May 2, 2008

A Texas man was arrested on felony theft charges by Texas authorities for allegedly stealing Louisiana timber valued at more than $51,000, Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M. said. 

Albert D. Harrison, 52, of CR 3150, Deberry, Texas, was arrested on an outstanding warrant at his home March 28 by Panola County Sheriff’s officers. 

John Terrell, a Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry investigator notified the Texas authorities. 

Terrell’s investigation determined Harrison was hired by an Arkansas logging company to handle the purchase of 160 timber acres; however he resold 40 acres of the contracted timber to a Vivian, Louisiana logging outfit. 

The timber acreage was located in Webster Parish. 

“We take timber theft very seriously and immediately looked into the allegations,” Strain said. “It is my department’s duty to protect Louisiana citizens from unscrupulous people preying on absent landowners or, in this case, out of state logging companies. 

Strain advised anyone with information regarding timber theft, woods arson or agriculture-related crimes to contact the LDAF enforcement division at 1-800-558-9741. 

“Don’t wait to report a crime; the sooner the department’s investigators get started on the case, the better,” Strain said.