In cooperation with the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement officers with the Alabama Forestry Commission arrested 36-year-old Gary Shane Morris of Collinsville on May 25, 2010. He was charged with Theft by Deception, Second Degree for allegedly taking timber valued at $13,400. If convicted, this Class C felony carries a jail sentence of 1-10 years and up to a $15,000 fine.

The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) is committed to reducing the number of forestry-related crimes that occur each year across the state. These crimes generate losses of hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to landowners, the timber industry, and Alabama’s economy. The AFC provides an “Arson/Forest Crimes Hotline" so that citizens can call and report theft of timber, vandalism or theft of harvesting equipment, and wildland arson. The toll-free number is 1-800-222-2927. Any information provided is confidential and the caller remains anonymous.

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This release reports an arrest.  All suspects are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

For more information, contact:

Chief Craig Hill

334.850.3665

craig.hill@forestry.alabama.gov