A Milan, Illinois man faced criminal charges after he allegedly sold the same logs to three different people.
Benjamin Wynn, 25, was charged in April 2014 in Rock Island County with one count of theft by deceptive practice. The charge was filed after Illinois Conservation Police investigated complaints that he sold the same logs to three individual buyers.
Court records showed the complaints were initiated in January 2014.
Wynn allegedly got the logs when he bought and harvested timber in Illinois City. State investigators said they later determined Wynn did not have a state-issued timber buyer’s license, required for anyone who buys timber so the trees can be sawed into lumber for processing or resale.
Court records showed Wynn was charged in September 2014 with theft by failure to pay a timber grower. The count specified the amount allegedly owed was between $300 and $2,500.
“Illinois Conservation Police encourage landowners to confirm the individual has a Timber Buyer’s License. It is also recommended any contracts or agreements regarding the cutting, selling, and/or purchasing of timber be documented in writing,” said a statement from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Both counts in the Rock Island County case against Wynn were felonies. Wynn was released from the Rock Island County Jail and remained free after posting 10% of his $20,000 bond.