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APRIL 2008 NEWS |
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L.D.W.F. LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION PARTICIPATING IN 4th ANNUAL
ZERO TOLERANCE FOR LITTER CAMPAIGN APRIL 4-6
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS HONOR LOUISIANA WILDLIFE ENFORCEMENT AGENT
OUACHITA PARISH MAN CITED FOR TURKEY HUNTING VIOLATION EIGHT CITED FOR TURKEY VIOLATIONS IN FLORIDA PARISHES THREE LOUISIANA MEN CITED FOR OYSTER VIOLATIONS ON KING LAKE TWO MEN CITED FOR GAME FISH VIOLATIONS HABITUAL POACHER AND ILLEGAL ALIENS ARRESTED IN JEFFERSON PARISH LINCOLN PARISH MEN SENTENCED IN DISTRICT COURT PLAQUEMINES PARISH MAN SENTENCED FOR GILL NET VIOLATIONS L.D.W.F. ENFORCEMENT DIVISION AGENTS RESCUE TWO CALCASIEU PARISH MEN BOATERS CITED IN IBERIA PARISH
L.D.W.F. LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION PARTICIPATING IN 4th ANNUAL ZERO TOLERANCE FOR LITTER CAMPAIGN APRIL 4-6 The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Law Enforcement Division (LDWF-LED) will join forces with Keep Louisiana Beautiful, Louisiana State Police, local law enforcement agencies and other community partners across the state in the fourth annual “Zero Tolerance for Litter” campaign April 4-6. Participating agencies and partners hope to raise public awareness that littering is illegal and punishable by fines, community service, driver’s license suspensions and possible imprisonment. “Our goal is to remind everybody that littering is an avoidable blight on our metropolitan and rural landscape and if simple steps are taken to dispose of trash properly, residents and visitors to Louisiana benefit from that effort,” said Robert Barham, LDWF secretary. “Enforcement agents on the water and in the woods this weekend will be part of the heightened statewide push to stop violators.” The mission served by LDWF-LED includes protecting Louisiana’s natural resources and serving the responsible, law-abiding people who use them. That duty includes reducing litter by detecting, investigating and prosecuting those who dispose of their trash carelessly, improperly and illegally. A 2008 agency report, “The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Law Enforcement Division Continues Its Campaign Against Littering”, details field activity from July 1, 1991 to June 30, 2007. LDWF-LED agents issued 4,819 citations for intentional littering and gross littering during that time. The report notes a rise in littering-related citations from 229 in fiscal year 1992 to 716 in fiscal year 2007. A copy of the report is available on the LDWF web site at http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/pdfs/publicservices/LED_Anti_Littering_Efforts_040108.pdf. In 2006 and 2007, Keep Louisiana Beautiful lent its support to the LDWF-LED by awarding the department two $15,000 grants to fund overtime hours for wildlife agents on litter enforcement patrols. The first grant supported patrols in Region VII (in southeastern Louisiana) during a five-month period in 2006. The second grant helped fund patrols in Region III (in central Louisiana) during a three-month span in 2007. The number of littering citations rose markedly in these regions during the grant periods, demonstrating the success of LDWF-LED in pursing litterers when it possesses the necessary resources. LDWF-LED Col. Winton Vidrine reminds the public, “Not only is littering ugly and harmful to our environment, it is also against the law. Wildlife and Fisheries agents will continue to take a strong stance against littering.” To report littering or illegal dumping, citizens can call the state anti-littering hotline at 1-888-LIT-R-BUG (1-888-548-7284). VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS HONOR LOUISIANA WILDLIFE ENFORCEMENT AGENT The Boone/McDowell Post 2277 Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Ladies Auxiliary honored Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division Senior Agent Wendell Weeks in Bastrop on March 25. Weeks received a recognition award for his outstanding law enforcement efforts in Morehouse Parish. Weeks was presented his award during the VFW annual public safety awards banquet. Each year the VFW recognizes an officer from each public safety agency that serves Morehouse Parish for excellence in community service. Other agencies represented and honored during the presentation included Louisiana State Police, Morehouse Parish Sheriffs Office, Bastrop Police Department, Bastrop Fire Department and Med-Life Ambulance Service. Weeks joined the LDWF Enforcement Division in August 2005 and has been promoted twice, currently holding the rank of senior agent. He has received extensive training during his employment with LDWF and holds a variety of training certificates including Hunting and Boating Safety Education Instructor, American Red Cross First Responder, Standardized Drug and DWI Detection, Intoxilyzer 5000 certified, Wildlife Agent Aquatic Survival Program, Waterfowl Law Enforcement Training and Defensive Tactics Systems certified. Weeks presently serves his country in the U.S. Air Force Reserves assigned to the Barksdale Air Force Base and is also active in his community assisting with the Boy Scouts of America, serving as a Dixie League baseball coach and assisting with his church’s missions programs. He is a member of the Louisiana Wildlife Agents Association, National Rifle Association and the Air Force Sergeants Association. “Senior Agent Weeks has an excellent working relationship with other law enforcement agencies and is well respected by the public,” commented Week’s supervisor, Region 2 Enforcement Captain Alan Bankston, who attended the ceremony with Sr. Agent Weeks and his family. “He is an outstanding officer and an asset to our department. We are proud to have him as an agent with the Enforcement Division.”
OUACHITA PARISH MAN CITED FOR TURKEY HUNTING VIOLATION Timothy B. Alsobrooks, 38, of West Monroe, was cited after agents received a complaint that an area located south of Clay in Jackson Parish was possibly baited. Agents made two trips into the area and documented an active feeder that contained corn. On March 22, at approximately 7:45 a.m., agents located Alsobrooks hunting turkeys within the 200-yard minimum distance to bait. A check of the feeder revealed that corn was still present. ACME MAN CITED FOR NIGHT HUNTING VIOLATIONS IN CONCORDIA PARISH Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited an Acme resident for alleged deer hunting violations in Concordia Parish on March 3. Richard Dustin Ferrell, 24, was cited for hunting deer during illegal hours, hunting from a moving vehicle and hunting from a levee road. Agents observed Ferrell shining a spotlight and firing a shot from his vehicle. Upon stopping Ferrell, agents found a freshly killed deer in the back of the vehicle. A .17 caliber rifle and the deer were seized as evidence. The deer was later donated to charity. Taking deer during illegal hours carries a fine up to $950, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs. Hunting from a moving vehicle is punishable by a fine up to $500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs. Agents participating in the case were Senior Agent Joseph Merrill and Sgt. Brian McDowell. EIGHT CITED FOR TURKEY VIOLATIONS IN FLORIDA PARISHES Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Agents cited seven men on March 21 and 22 for hunting turkeys over a baited area on the opening weekend of the season. Another man was cited for killing a turkey during a closed season on March 15. Enforcement agents in East Feliciana Parish cited Kenneth M. Lang, 39, of St. Gabriel for hunting turkey over a baited area. John C. Passman, 46, of Baton Rouge, was cited for hunting turkey over a baited area, hunting without a big game license and hunting without a turkey stamp. Kenneth A. Curtis, 17, and Nathan J. Curtis, 18, both of Boys Ranch, Texas were cited for hunting turkey over a baited area, hunting without a non-resident basic hunting license, hunting without a big game license and hunting turkey without a turkey stamp. In Tangipahoa Parish, agents cited George E. Martin III, 28, of Hammond for hunting turkey over a baited area, hunting turkey without a turkey stamp and hunting with an unplugged gun. In St. Helena Parish, agents cited Dwayne Foster, 34, of Baton Rouge for hunting turkey over a baited area. Agents in Washington Parish cited Jacob H. Moore, 21, of Sandy Hook, Miss. for hunting turkey over a baited area. Agents also cited Nael M. Samara, 36, of Albany for taking turkey during a closed season, hunting turkey with a rifle, hunting without a basic license and big game license, and for hunting turkey without a turkey stamp. If convicted, the fines each man faces for hunting turkey over a baited area are $250 to $500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs. The fine for taking turkey during a closed season carries a fine between $900 to $950, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized. Hunting without a basic and big game license, and without a turkey stamp each carry a fine of $50, or jail time up to 15 days or both. Hunting without a non-resident basic and big game license are both punishable by a fine of $100 to $350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court costs. Hunting turkeys with a rifle and with an unplugged shotgun each carry a fine of $250 to $500, or jail time up to 90 days or both plus court costs. THREE LOUISIANA MEN CITED FOR OYSTER VIOLATIONS ON KING LAKE Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited three men for alleged oyster violations in Terrebonne Parish on March 17. While on oyster growing area patrol near King Lake, an agent assigned to the Oyster Strike Force responded to a reported oyster theft. He found one vessel dredging oysters from a private lease without the lease owner's permission. The men on board were identified as Elton Wayne Verdin, 28, and Rick Adam Verdin, 23, both from Houma, and Aaron Matthew Dehart, 19, from Dularge. Agents cited the men for unlawfully taking oysters from a private lease and failure to have written permission. A total of 12 sacks of oysters were seized. The boats and dredges were placed under an LDWF seizure order. The penalty for unlawfully taking oysters from a private lease is a fine between $900 and $950 or imprisonment up to 120 days, or both, plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized in connection with the violation. Failure to have written permission is punishable by a fine of $400 to $750 or jail time up to 120 days, or both, plus court costs. Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Bryan Marie and Senior Agent Mike Garrity. TWO MEN CITED FOR GAME FISH VIOLATIONS Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited two men on March 15 for game fish violations in Union Parish. Brady T. Sonier, 29, of Bernice, and Ronald J. Burdine, 41, of Magnolia, Ark., were cited after agents received a complaint from Operation Game Thief of crappie being taken in hoop nets in the Dozier Creek Area of Lake D’arbonne. Agents located the net and set up surveillance of the area. Agents watched Sonier and Burdine check the net and remove 21 crappie and one catfish. Agents stopped the two men after they loaded the boat. The two were charged with taking game fish by using illegal methods. Sonier was also cited for not having a recreational gear license. Burdine was also cited for not having a non-resident basic fishing license or a non-resident gear license. The hoop net and fish were seized as evidence. The fish were donated to charity. The penalty for taking game fish by using illegal methods is a fine between $400 and $950, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs. The fine for using recreational gear without a license first offence is $50. The penalty for fishing without a non-resident fishing license is a fine between $100 and $350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court costs. The penalty for fishing without a non-resident gear license is a fine between $100 and $350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court costs. Agents involved in the case were Sgt. Lane Kincaid, Senior Agent Scott Jeansonne and Agent David Harrell. HABITUAL POACHER AND ILLEGAL ALIENS ARRESTED IN JEFFERSON PARISH Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents arrested four men for alleged hunting violations on March 7 in Jefferson Parish. Thomas Jones, 56, of Avondale, Fredrico Zabala Vargas, 27, Saulo Zavala, 42, and Alvarado Silverio Esteban, 42, all of Honduras were booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center and charged with numerous state and federal hunting violations. Agents responded to a tip that the men were hunting illegally and trespassing. After the agents apprehended the men, the landowner told the agents that the same men were seen earlier the same day and were asked to leave the property. Agents recognized Jones from previous wildlife arrests and were also aware that Jones was currently a fugitive from St. Charles and Jefferson parishes. Checking his fugitive status, agents learned that Jones had several attachments for his arrest for traffic violations in Jefferson Parish. It was also determined the three men from Honduras were in the country illegally. Jones was cited for hunting with an unplugged gun and possessing buckshot during a closed deer season. Vargas, Esteban and Zavala were cited for hunting without a non-resident license, possessing wild quadrupeds without a license and violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act by killing woodpeckers and robins, for which there is no season. Esteban and Zavala were also cited for hunting with an unplugged gun and possessing buckshot during a closed deer season. The men were in possession of 13 rabbits, which were seized and later donated to charity. In addition to the state and federal citations, each subject was cited for trespassing by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. Hunting with an unplugged gun and possessing wild quadrupeds without a license each carry a fine between $250 to $500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs. Possessing buckshot during a closed deer season is punishable by a fine between $100 to $350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court costs. Hunting without a non-resident license has a fine between $100 to $350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court costs. The fines for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act will be determined by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana in New Orleans. The 24th Judicial District Court of Jefferson Parish will determine the fines for the trespassing charges. Agents participating in the case were Lt. Eddie Skena and Sgt. J.W. Gregoire Jr. LINCOLN
PARISH MEN SENTENCED IN DISTRICT COURT Jason A. Williams, 26, and Joshua A. Johnston, 24, both of Ruston were sentenced to pay a total of $479 each including court costs. Williams and Johnston were cited on Dec. 10, 2007 after Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents responded to a complaint of possible night hunting activities in the Ansley area of Jackson Parish. Agents then observed Williams shining a flashlight on Ansley Road. As agents approached, he ran into a wooded area and walked out a short time later. Williams claimed to the agents that he was hunting hogs. A loaded 9mm pistol was found a short distance in the woods. Agents then found Johnston
as he exited the woods. Both were arrested and bond was set at $10,000 each.
DOVE HUNTERS SENTENCED IN FEDERAL COURT Kevin F. Colquette, 44, Eros; William S. Pate, 41, West Monroe; Charles W. Avant, 49, Farmerville; and Paul C. Peoples, 61, Chatham; pled guilty to dove hunting violations and were sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Karen Hays. Colquette and Pate were cited after Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Division agents received a complaint that they baited a small area in southwest Ouachita Parish. Agents arrived and located the hunters and a large amount of sunflower seeds and corn placed in the back yard of a residence. Colquette admitted to baiting the area to hunt doves and was sentenced to pay a fine of $2,270 for placing the bait and hunting over a baited area. Pate was sentenced to pay a fine of $760 for hunting over a baited area. Avant and Peoples were both cited after agents located another baited area prior to dove season that was baited with sunflower, wheat and milo seeds in a cutover on the Louisiana Sportsmen Hunting Club located north of Eros in Jackson Parish. Avant was sentenced to pay a fine of $760, and Peoples was sentenced to pay a fine of $860. L.D.W.F. ENFORCEMENT DIVISION COMPLETES SECOND MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUE COURSE The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division conducted their second Maritime Search and Rescue Course (MSARC) from March 3-7, 2008, training several law enforcement officers in maritime search and rescue. Sixteen officers from both the St Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Baton Rouge Police Department successfully completed the P.O.S.T. certified 40 hour course. Officers attending MSARC received training on topics such as Louisiana Navigational Rules of the Road, Maritime Search and Rescue including urban waterborne search and rescue, Waterborne Arrest Techniques, Louisiana Emergency Operations Plans (ESF 9 SAR), and several other maritime related topics. In the months after the devastating landfalls of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, several law enforcement agencies across the state of Louisiana realized a vital need to train officers in all aspects of search and rescue (SAR), especially maritime search and rescue. The LDWF/LED is the primary agency for search and rescue in the state and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) designated lead for SAR operations. LDWF/LED agents have several decades of experience in boating safety enforcement, maritime patrol enforcement and maritime search and rescue, and the division has received several requests from law enforcement agencies to provide maritime SAR training to their officers. Officers must be Louisiana POST certified peace officers and have successfully completed a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators or U.S. Coast Guard approved boating education course before being eligible to attend the course. Law enforcement agencies interested in having their officers attend the course or for more information on the course itself can contact LDWF/LED at 225-765-2980 or visit our website at http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/publicservices/msarc/ . PLAQUEMINES PARISH MAN SENTENCED FOR GILL NET VIOLATIONS Richard Crosby, 45, of Venice, was fined $2,000 in Plaquemines Parish court on Feb. 26, 2008 after pleading guilty to multiple fishing violations. In addition to the $2,000 plus court costs, Judge William Roe of the 25th Judicial District ordered the gear used in connection with the violation, which included one 14-foot gill net and one pirogue, to be forfeited to the state. Crosby pled guilty to using a saltwater gill net illegally, taking commercial fish without commercial licenses and a vessel license, taking or possessing spotted sea trout during a closed season, taking or possessing undersized commercial fish (black drum), possessing red drum illegally with a gill net on the vessel and taking game fish by using illegal methods. Crosby was cited on Jan. 14, 2005 after Enforcement Division agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries observed him actively retrieve a gill net in Yellow Cotton Bay located in Venice. Crosby was apprehended and arrested for the violations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jerry Lobrano of District Attorney Daryl Bubrig’s office. Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Adam Young and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Refuge Officer Mike Downie. L.D.W.F. ENFORCEMENT DIVISION AGENTS RESCUE TWO CALCASIEU PARISH MEN Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents rescued Scott C. George, 27, and Paul M. Tabarelli, 30, both from Lake Charles, from Calcasieu Lake at approximately 1 p.m. on March 4 in Cameron Parish. At approximately 8:30 a.m., family members reported the two missing after they failed to return home from their fishing trip the previous afternoon. The family members had no knowledge of what boat launch the two men utilized. Agents, working in conjunction with the Lake Charles Police Department and the Calcasieu and Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Offices, located Tabarelli’s pick-up truck and boat trailer at Hebert’s Public Boat Landing in Cameron Parish. Agents immediately conducted a vessel search in Calcasieu Lake and the surrounding marsh. An enforcement plane and pilot were dispatched to the area to assist agents in the search. At 12:45 p.m., Agents located Tabarelli’s vessel, a small aluminum flat boat, along the eastern shoreline of Calcasieu Lake approximately 9 miles from Hebert’s Landing. Agents soon found George and Tabarelli walking along the shoreline levee a few miles north of their vessel. The two said they had taken on water in rough conditions while traveling back to the landing the previous afternoon. They were approximately 3 miles from the landing when their boat became partially submerged and they remained with the vessel as it drifted southward through the night finally reaching land near Grand Bayou. The two abandoned their vessel for dry land and spent the rest of the frigid night on the levee, with temperatures in the mid 30s and winds in excess of 25 mph. At daylight, they began walking until they were located. The men were transported to Hebert’s Public Boat Landing and returned to their families. BOATERS CITED IN IBERIA PARISH Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited six boat operators on Lake Fausse Point, Teche Lake Canal and Bird Island Chute in Iberia Parish for operating vessels while intoxicated. Agents cited David W. Broussard II, 20, Damon J. Theriot, 31, Blake E. Bourgois, 23, and Chris A. Peltier, 39, all of New Iberia, Rusty M. Latiolais, 28, of St. Martinville, and Matthew Brown, 30, of Baton Rouge, for operating their vessels while intoxicated on March 1. Theriot, Latiolais and Peltier were also cited for improper running lights. Broussard was charged with possession of alcohol under the age of 21. The penalty for first offense of operating a vessel while intoxicated is a fine between $300 and $1,000, and imprisonment between 10 days and six months. The penalty for possession of alcohol by a person under the age of 21 is a fine up to $100, or jail time up to six months or both. The penalty for improper running lights is a $50 fine, or jail time up to 15 days or both. Agents participating in the cases were Lt. Donald Salpietra, Sgts. Mitch Darby, Cliff Ortis and Travis Huval, and Senior Agents Jerry Stassi, Donnie Bozeman, Jason Romero and Agent Thomas Ashley Jr.
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