A Louisiana man is facing multiple charges connected to the alleged theft of 15 horses valued at a total of $14,000.

Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Michael Strain, DVM, said LDAF Livestock Brand Commission investigators responded to a complaint in St. Landry Parrish in March alleging that Jonramon Hatfield Vaughns had fraudulently obtained seven horses valued at a total of $4,000. Two horses were sold at local livestock markets and other five were transported out of state, Strain said.

Another complaint filed in April alleged that Vaughns fraudulently obtained eight Evangeline Parish horses valued at a total of $10,000 and transported them out of state, he said.

Acting on a tip, investigators arrested Vaughns on Sept. 11 and charged him in connection with the thefts. He is being held at the St. Landry Parrish jail. If convicted he could face fine and jail time,

In response to the thefts, Strain reminded equestrians to use caution when they do business with sellers they don’t know.

“Request proper identification and registration papers for the horses and obtain financial verification by line of credit or funds available from the broker,” he said.