LAWTELL, La. (KLFY)-A 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 Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M.

Dovinski Doucet, 35, was arrested this week in St. Landry Parish by Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Livestock Brand Commission inspectors.

Back in December, the LDAF received a report of the stolen cattle from a farm the Lawtell area in St. Landry Parish.

Following an investigation, brand inspectors determined Doucet sold the stolen cattle at a local livestock market. “We advise livestock owners to use registered brands or official ear tags on their livestock which greatly aids in recovery of stolen livestock as well as tracing livestock diseases,” said Strain.

Doucet was booked into the St. Landry Parish Jail. If convicted, he could face a penalty, with or without hard labor, for not more than 10 years, or may be fined not more than $10,000, or both.

The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are expected, the department said.