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Mississippi Man Arrested for Theft of Livestock in Louisiana

Louisiana – On September 21, 2022, agents with the Mississippi Department of Agriculture apprehended a Mississippi man in Copiah County, Mississippi. The arrest was made in response to a warrant issued by LaSalle Parish, Louisiana, in connection with an investigation undertaken by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission.

John Colter Pyron, 34, of Hazlehurst, Mississippi, was arrested in Copiah County on a Theft of Livestock warrant. Pyron waived extradition to Louisiana on September 22. The bond in this case has not yet been set.

Pyron obtained a horse from the owner and agreed to sell the horse for a specified sum in December 2021, according to the inquiry. The investigation discovered that Pyron failed to sell the horse at the agreed-upon amount, and the owner demanded that the horse be returned. The investigation revealed that the horse’s owner was never paid the predetermined set fee, and Pyron neglected to return the horse. The purchase of animals and failing to make proper payment is a violation of R.S.14:67.1 (Theft of Livestock).

Pyron was detained earlier this year on a similar accusation in another parish by the Livestock Brand Commission.

“We are seeing more and more violations and complaints of this nature,” said LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M. “People are turning to the power of the internet to help sell their livestock but are finding themselves the victim of untrustworthy sellers. Louisiana law is specific when dealing with the purchase of livestock and protects livestock owners from persons not complying with proper payment, even when it comes to internet sales. I encourage anyone trying to sell their livestock through a third party online to get multiple references before entrusting them with your animals.”

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture aided the Livestock Brand Commission in their investigation.

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.

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