St. Landry man accused of timber theft

On June 18, Leonard Laborde of St. Landry was arrested on two counts of timber theft, two counts of criminal trespass, and one count of simple criminal damage to property.  

Laborde, who had outstanding warrants for timber theft, trespassing, and simple criminal damage to property stemming from the theft of sinker cypress from a private lake in 2020, was apprehended while allegedly removing sinker cypress a second time from the same location without permission. 

Laborde was again charged with timber theft and trespassing. Laborde has been released on bond, which was $11,500. 

LDAF investigators would like to thank the Evangline Parish Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the apprehension of this suspect. 

According to LDAF, readers should consider that all persons accused of any crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

LDAF urges the public to report any forestry-related crimes to the LDAF Office of Forestry at (225) 925-4500 or LDAF’s 24-hour hotline at 1-855-452-5323.