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Opelousas man charged with theft of livestock
OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY) -- An Opelousas man has been arrested after allegedly selling livestock that did not belong to him, officials said.
Inspectors with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry's Livestock Brand Commission arrested Ray A. Dunbar, 51, of Opelousas, and charged him with theft of livestock.
LBC investigators said, Dunbar was in possession of one head of livestock in April that allegedly belonged to a St. Landry Parish producer. Dunbar allegedly sold the livestock without the permission and/or authorization of the producer. Dunbar failed to return the livestock to the producer within the 10-day window after a letter demand demanding its return was sent, according to LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain.
“The fraudulent conduct, practices, or representations derived from the sale of livestock is a violation of the theft of livestock statute and is punishable by law,” Strain said. “LDAF and the Livestock Brand Commission continue to uphold the law when violations occur.”
The livestock involved, which has an estimated value of $5,000, was recovered and returned to the producer.
Dunbar's bond was not set at the time of the arrest. If convicted, he faces possible fines and jail time.
St. Landry Parish investigators assisted the Livestock Brand Commission in this investigation.
The Livestock Brand Commission maintains a 24-hour Crimestoppers hotline at (800) 558-9741 for the public to report thefts or other agriculture-related crimes.