Baton Rouge, La. – An Iberia Parish man was arrested on June 5 by inspectors with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission regarding an investigation involving livestock theft in St. Landry Parish.
Sixty-six-year-old Orlando Williams was arrested in St. Landry Parish on a warrant for livestock theft. Williams turned himself into brand inspectors at the St Landry Parish Jail. During the brand inspector’s investigation, it was determined that Williams received two horses on one occasion and failed to pay a local livestock market properly as required by law. The acquisition of the livestock and failure to render proper payment is a violation of R.S.14:67.1 (Theft of Livestock). The alleged theft occurred in February 2023.
“Louisiana law is clear when referring to the purchase of livestock and protects livestock owners from persons not complying with proper payment,” said LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M. “If determined guilty, the suspect will violate the theft of livestock statute and held responsible for his crime.”
The Livestock Brand Commission was assisted with this investigation by the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Department.
A bond amount has not been set, and the livestock has not been recovered.
The Livestock Brand Commission maintains a 24-hour Crimestoppers hotline at (800) 558-9741 for the public to report thefts.
Note: All persons accused of any crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
