Texas men accused of timber theft

Two Texas men are accused of cutting a 10-acre stand of timber without the landowner's permission and have been charged with its theft.

Joe Henderson, 63, of Bivins, Texas, and Kenneth Hodge, 58, of South Bivins, Texas, were arrested Aug. 15 on one count each of timber theft more than $25,000, according to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Investigators allege the men cut the timber during a demolition of structures Henderson was hired to do for the landowner, who lives in Beaumont, Texas.

According to LDAF investigators, the timber harvested without the landowner's permission was valued at $29,394 and was sold in Texas.

"It is so important for landowners who lives out of state to check or have someone they trust check their land frequently for stolen timber or damage to the property, LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain said in a press release.

Henderson and Hodge were booked into the Caddo Detention Center in Shreveport and were released on $5,000 bod each.