The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission arrested two adults and three juveniles for theft of livestock. Investigators said the suspects are accused of stealing six horses from a local livestock market. The estimated value of the six horses is $2,200.
The adult suspects are identified as 18-year-old Desment D. Green, 200 block of Oleander St., Opelousas, and 17-year-old Keyondra Cain, 1300 block of Julie Street, Opelousas. The juveniles are 14, 15 and 16 years old.
One of the three juveniles was remanded to the custody of the state as a result of other charges pending against him. The other suspects have been released to their parents or have bonded out of jail.
Investigators said the suspects removed the horses by cutting the fence of a local sale barn where the horses were being held. Over the course of several nights, six horses were taken. Investigators said two horses were sold by the suspects, three were abandoned and one has not been located. During the course of the investigation, five of the horses were recovered and returned to the owner.
“Investigators were able to recover these animals because they were microchipped which made them easier to identify as the horses that were stolen,” said Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M. “Having livestock that is microchipped or branded is helpful in getting your property returned to you.”
All five suspects are charged with multiple counts of theft of livestock which is a felony.
The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Department assisted in this investigation.