Jena man now facing 9 felony timber theft charges
A Jena man has had another felony timber theft charge filed against him, bringing the total to nine, according to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
The latest charge was filed Friday against James Marcus Ainsworth, 39. All of the charges against Ainsworth have been filed by the department after an investigation that started in September 2014. "Prior to the most recent arrest, Ainsworth is accused of stealing approximately $100,000 worth of timber from landowners," reads the release.
The newest charge involves a Nebo landowner who hired Ainsworth to cut timber in May and June 2014. Ainsworth cut 24 acres, according to the release, but the landowner went to Ainsworth's home to confront him when he didn't receive payment or hear from Ainsworth.
Ainsworth reportedly showed the landowner scale tickets and checks totaling $30,000, and told the landowner that he would receive $12,000 of that, according to the release. But, Ainsworth never provided the landowner with scale tickets specific to the harvest from his property.
"Forestry investigators went to mills and wood dealers and recovered records showing Ainsworth cut 45 loads of timber valued at $41,234.13, but the landowner only received $3,400," reads the release.
Ainsworth has been in the LaSalle Parish Jail since he was returned to the parish in late April after an attempt to escape to Canada. According to the department, Ainsworth, his wife and daughter packed their belongings and left the parish, but authorities were tipped off to their plan. The family stopped in an Illinois town, left their belongings at a storage unit and flew to Anchorage, Alaska, where Ainsworth ended up turning himself in.
The release states that LaSalle deputies drove to Alaska to bring Ainsworth back. The sheriff's office also charged Ainsworth with theft greater than $750. A call Tuesday to LaSalle Sheriff Scott Franklin wasn't immediately returned.
Ainsworth's bond was set at $1 million. He is facing seven charges in LaSalle Parish and two in Catahoula Parish. He was arrested initially in September 2014, then on Oct. 2, Oct. 31, Nov. 24 and Dec. 19.
The department still is asking anyone who might have done business with Ainsworth to call 225-925-4500.