FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2009
UNFINISHED TIMBER DEAL LEADS TO YORK CO. MAN’S ARREST
(Columbia,SC)–-Law Enforcement agents with the South Carolina Forestry Commission, in cooperation with the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office, have arrested and charged a Clover, SC man with failing to pay two landowners for trees he harvested from their land in early 2009.
According to arrest documents, Jasen Brown, 46, entered into timber contracts with landowners in Kershaw and Florence counties. Despite thorough and legally appropriate attempts to reach him for payment, neither landowner has seen his revenue from those timber harvests. Mr. Brown currently is in jail in Camden, SC on these and additional charges from other law enforcement agencies.
Forestry and timber-related businesses constitute the number one manufacturing industry in South Carolina. The South Carolina Forestry Commission is committed to protecting the Palmetto State’s public and private forest resources. These crimes cost SC landowners millions of dollars each year.
To report a suspected case of timber theft, fraud, or arson, call the South Carolina Forestry Commission at (803) 896-8800.
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For more information, call Scott Hawkins at (803) 896-8820
Legal Reference:
SC Code of Laws:
48-23-265 Failure to Pay within 45 Days or ten-day notice
48-23-0097 Timber/wood load ticket not provided
THIS RELEASE REPORTS AN ARREST. ALL SUBJECTS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED INNOCENT UNLESS PROVEN OTHERWISE IN A COURT OF LAW.
The SC Forestry Commission’s mission is to protect and develop South Carolina’s forest resource. For every $1.00 invested by SC in the Commission, the industry produces more than $1,000.00 of economic impact.
