The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) and the Allen Parish District Attorney’s Office announce the conviction of Ricky Thompson, age 72, of Pitkin.
Thompson pled no contest to one count of theft over $25,000. Thompson was arrested in 2018 on six counts of theft of property having a value of $25,000 or more in four different parishes. The Livestock Brand Commission investigators say the thefts occurred between August and October 2017. Louisiana has eight public livestock markets where producers can sell their livestock. Investigators say four of the eight livestock markets were targeted by Thompson. Those sale barns are in Allen, Avoyelles, East Baton Rouge, and St. Landry parishes.
As a result of his conviction, Mr. Thompson now faces a five-year prison term – suspended, three years of probation, significant fines, restitution, and no contact with Kinder Livestock Auction. The restitution of $180,000 has been paid in full. The conviction allows Thompson to continue farming but will effectively prevent him from obtaining a permit to be a livestock dealer.