E TX man charged with stealing $65K worth of timber | Crime

An east Texas man faces theft charges after agents with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry say the man stole over $65,000 worth of timber.

43-year-old Thomas Fields from Frankston, TX was arrested Wednesday morning and booked into the DeSoto Parish jail.

LDAF agents say Fields went to an 80 acre piece of land just north of Logansport and cut 50 loads of timber, which had an estimated value of $65,482. Agents also say Fields didn't have permission to be on the property. The timber was cut between November 2011 and January 2012.

LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain said, “Timber is a major commodity in Louisiana that is policed and monitored by our forestry enforcement division. Like anything of value, it is often the target of thieves, and violators will be prosecuted. Last year alone, we recorded approximately $3.3 million in timber loss to owners because of theft.”

Fields is out on bond. If convicted, he could get up to 10 years in prison.