Louisiana Family Charged With Stealing $1 Million in Cattle
Three arrests and six counts of theft have been made after Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Brand Commission discovers $1 million worth of cattle sales missing from Louisiana sale barns.
As a family effort, Ricky and Wanda Thompson, along with their 39-year-old son, Justin Thompson, are facing jail time after allegedly stealing from four of the eight different livestock markets across Louisiana. Charged with six counts of property theft having a value of $25,000 or more, the thefts occurred between August and October 2017.
“The bottom line is the cattle producers were protected and received their money from the sale barn; however, the Thompson’s never compensated the sale barn, so these businesses suffered significant financial losses,” said Mike Strain, Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner.
Taking place in Pitkin, La., additional warrants have been issued in East Baton Rouge and St. Landry parishes where the other livestock markets are located.
The family members are facing $60,000 bail each.
