VILLE PLATTE -- Troopers with the Lafayette Field Office of the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud Unit on Tuesday arrested a Ville Platte insurance agent for unfair trade practices.

In October 2010, troopers received a criminal complaint about 65-year-old Melvin J. Lavergne of Ville Platte.

The complaint alleged that Lavergne, the owner and agent of Lavergne’s Insurance Agency located in Ville Platte, had failed to send insurance premiums collected from customers to the insurance companies.

Through the course of investigation, troopers discovered Lavergne failed to submit insurance premiums for four separate customer accounts resulting in seven cancellation notices being issued.

The cancellations also affected the customers vehicle registration as well as their driver’s license status with the Office of Motor Vehicles. Based on the investigation troopers were able to obtain a warrant for Lavergne’s arrest.

Troopers arrested Lavergne for unfair trade practices. He was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Evangeline Parish Jail.

If you know anyone engaged in unfair trade practices or persons committing insurance fraud, you are asked to call troopers at 337-262-3341.