FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 7, 2025    

Panola County timber theft case resolved, recovered $50,240    

PANOLA COUNTY, Texas—Following a Texas A&M Forest Service timber theft investigation, $50,240 has been recovered to a group of Panola County landowners for unpaid timber sales.     

The Panola County landowners entered a timber sale agreement with a timber harvesting company and were paid $21,167 for their timber, which they felt was a significantly low price based on the terms in the harvesting contract compared to the volume of timber harvested and hauled from the tract. The landowners filed a timber theft complaint with the Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Department.     

Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement investigators initiated an investigation on Jan. 12, 2025, reviewing all documents generated during the timber harvest including scale tickets, loader sheets and financial statements.     

The investigation found that the timber harvesting company still owed the landowners $41,655. The investigation also found that $8,585 worth of timber had been severed but had not been hauled to a mill.     

On Feb. 21, 2025, the timber harvesting company remitted the full payment of timber trust funds to the landowners, valuing $50,240.    

“Our Law Enforcement investigators were very diligent during this investigation in meeting with the landowner and harvester and assessing documents related to the sale to determine the value of timber the landowners were owed,” said Jarred Lemmon, Texas A&M Forest Service Assistant Chief Law Enforcement Officer. “Through timber theft investigations, leading to resolutions, we’re able to protect Texas lands and landowners as well as the integrity of the timber sale process.”     

In 2025, including this most recent investigation, Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers have recovered over $79,000 for landowners who were victims of timber theft, surpassing the $53,000 recovered in 2024.   

Lemmon expressed that landowners are the first line of defense against timber theft, and their vigilance during the timber sale process is vital.    

“Landowners can be taken advantage of in several ways during a timber sale, including skimming and diversion,” said Lemmon . “Often times, landowners aren’t aware of the crime until after it occurs. So, landowners should use resources like a consultant forester to ensure the timber is sold for a fair price and the harvesters are held to the terms of the contract.”    

To prevent timber theft, landowners should:

• Visit their property frequently.
• Have someone they know and trust report any cutting on their land immediately.
• Never sign a contract without checking several references of the buyer.
• Insist on getting bids for their timber.
• Mark all property lines to assure cutting on adjacent property does not encroach on theirs.
• Utilize trail/deer cameras on their property that can record suspicious activity or individuals.
• Always hold their timber contractor to the agreed upon term.     

Landowners who are unfamiliar with selling their timber are urged to contact their local Texas A&M Forest Service office. Texas A&M Forest Service field staff assists landowners with the process of securing the services of a professional resources manager to help select trees for harvest, estimate values and find potential buyers.     

To report suspected timber theft or suspicious activity, call the Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Timber Theft Hotline at 1-800-364-3470. The Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Department works with local officials to help bring those responsible for timber theft and other violations of the natural resources code to justice.     

To contact a Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Investigator your area, please visit https://ticc.tamu.edu/Documents/Home/LE_Map.pdf.    

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Timber Theft Hotline: 1-800-364-3470
Texas A&M Forest Service Contacts:

Jarred Lemmon, Assistant Chief Law Enforcement Officer, jlemmon@tfs.tamu.edu, 903-756-8170