LANSING — Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Friday charges against a Stephenson man who allegedly stole more than $100,000 of timber from the state.

According to a news release, Raymond Vetort has been charged with one count each of trespassing or damages to state land – $20,000 or more, a 10-year felony and/or $15,000 fine; larceny, a 10-year felony and/or $15,000 fine; and malicious destruction — trees, shrubs, crops, grass, turf, soil — $20,000 or more, a 10-year felony and/or $15,000 fine.

Vetort is the owner of R&J Logging, an independent logging company. The business had a contract to enter and log on state land, but Vetort reportedly marked and took timber that was not allowed by the contract, the AG’s office stated in the news release.

Vetort was bound over for trial Friday before Judge Robert J. Jamo in 95A District Court in Menominee County.

“Conservation is a balance between preservation of our state’s natural resources and the regulation of the industries that contribute to the health of our economy,” Nessel said in the statement. “Those who profit from Michigan’s bounty must abide by the terms and conditions set forth in their contracts in order to strike that balance. This individual violated those terms, took advantage of the state’s resources for his personal profit, and must be held accountable.”

An arraignment is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. today.