Louisiana Man Arrested for Cattle-Related Theft After Allegedly Receiving and Selling Cattle He Did Not Pay For

Louisiana – The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) reported on October 10, 2022, that a Bienville Parish resident had been arrested on October 6 by agents from the Louisiana Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Division and the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Department. The arrest was made in response to a warrant issued by Bienville Parish in connection with an investigation by the Livestock Brand Commission of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

Jeremy S. Shephard, 34, of Dubberly, Louisiana, was arrested in Arcadia on a felony theft over $5,000 warrant. According to the LDAF’s Livestock Brand Commission investigation, Shephard allegedly received 24 head of cattle on or around July 2021. Further inquiry revealed that Shephard failed to make the correct payment to the owner of the livestock and then sold the same cattle to a third party and kept the proceeds. The purchase of animals and failing to make proper payment is a violation of R.S.14:67.1 (Theft of Livestock).

“Louisiana law is clear when referring to the purchase of livestock and protects livestock owners from persons not complying with proper payment,” said LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M. “If determined guilty, the suspect will be in violation of the theft of livestock statute and held responsible for his crime. Regardless of the outcome, however, I urge our cattle owners to be aware of the persons they conduct private treaty sales with. It never hurts to get multiple references, and it can save you from being the victim of an untrustworthy seller.”

The Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Department and the Louisiana Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Division aided the Livestock Brand Commission in its investigation.

Shephard is currently being held in the Bienville Parish Jail, and his bond has been set at $50,000.

To report thefts, the Livestock Brand Commission operates a 24-hour Crimestoppers hotline at (800) 558-9741.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.