Second Arrest Made in St. Landry Parish Cattle Thefts

BATON ROUGE – A second Ville Platte man is under arrest in connection with the theft of six cattle valued at $7,500 according to Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M.

Fifty-five-year-old Paul Lavigne was arrested March 2, 2018 in St. Landry Parish by LDAF Livestock Brand Commission inspectors. On December 5, 2017, the LDAF received a report of stolen cattle from a farm in the Lawtell community of St. Landry Parish. Following an investigation, brand inspectors determined Lavigne helped load and transport the cattle to a local livestock market.

On February 6, 2018, 35-year-old Dovinski Doucet was arrested in St. Landry Parish after brand inspectors determined Doucet sold the stolen cattle at a local livestock market.

“We cannot stress enough the importance of owners using registered brands or official ear tags on their livestock. By taking these security measures, it greatly aids in the recovery of stolen livestock as well as tracing livestock diseases,” said Strain.

Lavigne was booked into the St. Landry Parish Jail and charged with L.A.R.S. 14:25 accessory after the fact to commit L.A.R.S. 14:67 B (2).  If convicted, he could face a penalty of not more than a $500 fine, or imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for not more than five years, or both; provided that in no case shall his punishment be greater than one-half of the maximum provided by law for a principal offender.  

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Department assisted in these arrests. All LDAF brand inspectors are commissioned by Louisiana State Police and have authority in the performance of their duties.