Louisiana Man Faces Possible Jail Time and Fines After Being Arrested for Fuel Theft and Crimes Committed to Logging Equipment
Louisiana Man Faces Possible Jail Time and Fines After Being Arrested for Fuel Theft and Crimes Committed to Logging Equipment
Louisiana – On August 29, 2022, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) reported that on August 22, 2022, enforcement agents arrested 28-year-old Bradley Thomas of Leesville, Louisiana for two counts of theft of fuel and one count of simple criminal damage to property over $1000. Davis was booked into the Vernon Parish Sheriff Detention center. The bond was set at $4,000, which he posted on August 23, 2022.
Earlier this month, a logging enterprise in Vernon Parish experienced repeated fuel thefts while cutting timber on Cow Pen Rd. On Wednesday, August 17, a logger reported missing 20 gallons of fuel, and dirt was found in the skidder’s fuel tank, resulting in $2,332.04 in damages and repairs to the equipment.
As a result, a joint investigation was conducted by the LDAF Forestry Enforcement Division and the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office. Due to evidence left at the scenes, investigators from both agencies were able to identify a suspect.
Investigators also connected the suspect to a separate fuel theft in February 2022, when fifty gallons of diesel were stolen from a different logger on David Mitkiff Rd. in Vernon Parish.
If convicted, Thomas could be imprisoned not more than six months or may be fined not more than one thousand dollars, or both for the theft charge. On the criminal damage charge, Thomas could be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than two years or both.
“Crimes in the timber industry take all forms,” said LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain, DVM. “Regardless of whether you harvest timber without consent or steal fuel and damage equipment, the LDAF Forestry Enforcement group is going to work diligently with local officials to help bring those responsible for the crime to justice.”
The general public is encouraged to report any forestry-related crimes to the LDAF Office of Forestry at 225-925-4500 or the LDAF 24-hour hotline at 1-855-452-5323.
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.
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