My question involves personal property located in the State of: Louisiana
My 18-year-old son loaned my John Deere small tractor (retail $2,000) to his friend so he could use it in his lawnmowing business. When I found out, I immediately demanded that my son get it back. The friend dropped it off the next day. When I looked in the shop where I usually kept it, I saw my tractor (or so I thought) in its spot.
One day, months later, by chance, I noticed what bad condition it was in and remarked to my son that he needed to take care of it after he mowed our lawn. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the tractor had a sticker from a John Deere dealer 50 miles from my house. I had bought my John Deere from Lowe's 5 miles from my home. Not only that, this "replacement" tractor was very rusted, the battery was corroded, and two of its tires were flat. My son then told me that he was mad at his friend for returning it in that condition; it didn't even run. That's when I informed him that his "friend", the same 19-year-old who had lived with us for a few months, had done a switcheroo on him. I was livid, to say the least.
I have tried contacting this former "friend" but to no avail. he and my son no longer speak and he will not answer phone calls.
I have the serial number from the tractor that is at my house and I have a copy of the receipt for the tractor that I bought at Lowe's. The switch happened months ago. Considering how much time has passed and the condition of the tractor that was returned to me, I'm sure MY John Deere is in deplorabe condition by now. What recourse do I have?
Thank you very much

