( KLFY ) — An Opelousas man has been arrested and charged with felony theft after allegedly making bogus bids at a livestock auction, authorities said.

Inspectors with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Livestock Brand Commission arrested Lester R. Johnson, Jr., 32, of Opelousas on Aug. 22.

LBC investigators said that in November 2023, Johnson was the high bidder on one head of livestock at a local livestock market, and then failed to pay the market for it.

Officials said Johnson had intentionally bid on the livestock to raise the price substantially above market value. When Johnson failed to retrieve and pay for the livestock within the 10-day period, the market was deprived of the proceeds from the sale, which has an estimated value of $1,400.

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The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office assisted the Livestock Brand Commission in this investigation.

Johnson’s bond was not set at the time of the arrest.

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