LWAA

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents arrested a Gonzales man on July 13 for three counts of negligent homicide for his alleged role in the death of three Gonzales citizens following a boating incident in Lake Maurepas in May.

Agents arrested Blake Carronna, 25, who was the operator of a boat when it spun out of control fatally wounding three people and injuring another on May 29, and booked him into the Livingston Parish Jail. Carronna was also cited for two counts of reckless operation of a watercraft.

Agents also cited Thomas White, 24, of Gonzales, who was the other survivor, for one count of reckless operation of a watercraft. White suffered arm and pelvic injuries from the boating incident.

Authorities found the bodies of Anna Hite, 20, Ryan Ducote, 24, and Mikayla Thibodeaux, 14, all of Gonzales, in the days following the incident.

Agents also cited Carronna and White for not having enough personal flotation devices for everyone on board, failure to change ownership of registration and overloading a motorboat. Carronna was also cited for negligent injury.

Negligent homicide carries up to a five-year jail term and $5,000 in fines. For negligent injury, Carronna faces up to $500 in fines and six months in jail. Reckless operation of a watercraft carries up to $500 in fines and 30 days in jail. The boating safety citations bring a $50 fine and up to 15 days in jail.

L.D.W.F. AGENTS ARREST BATON ROUGE BOATER

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents arrested a Baton Rouge man on July 9 for flight from an officer and other charges.

On June 12, LDWF agents were attempting to stop a vessel for a violation on Blind River in Ascension Parish when the vessels operator fled and refused to stop. Agents gave chase and a high-speed pursuit ensued. The suspect eluded the agents in Lake Maurepas.

As the result of a three-week investigation, agents identified, arrested and booked Darrell R. Smith Jr., 30, into the Ascension Parish Jail. Smith was charged with violating a no wake zone, careless operation and flight from an officer.

If convicted, Smith could face fines of $1,037.50 and serve up to seven months in jail.

Agents involved in the case were Senior Agent Randy Lanoux, Sgt. Will Roberts, Sgt. Buck Hampton and Senior Agent Clay Marques.

JULY 4 BOAT EXPLOSION ON OLD RIVER INJURES FIVE
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents patrolling Old River in Pointe Coupee Parish responded to a call about a boat explosion after 7 p.m. on July 4. The boat had 6 passengers on board at the time of the explosion and all passengers, including the operator, ended up in the water.

The boat’s occupants were quickly pulled from the water by West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s deputies working in the area and taken back to the boat launch. Agents responding found that Matthew P. Wilkes, 26, of Lakeland, was operating a 19-foot ski boat on Old River, when for unknown reasons the engine compartment exploded. Five of the passengers received third degree burns on their legs and backs. The injured were taken by Acadian Ambulance and Acadian Air Med to local hospitals for immediate medical treatment of their burns.

Those injured were: Raina Brown, 24, of Baton Rouge; Todd Hymel, 27, of Baton Rouge; Chris Duet, 25, of Baton Rouge; Keith Silvio, 25, of Baton Rouge; and Dustin Musso, 28, of Baton Rouge. Wilkes and passenger Allyson Marshall, 23, of Lakeland, were not injured.

The accident is currently under investigation by LDWF’s Enforcement Division. Agents working the investigation are Sgt. Chris Carpenter and Senior Agent Allan Marbury. The West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office, Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Office and LDWF all responded to the incident.

TWO MEN ARRESTED FOR MULTIPLE CRAB TRAP VIOLATIONS

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents apprehended two men for multiple counts of alleged crab trap violations in Lake Maruepas on June 24.

Acting upon a complaint from a commercial crab fisherman, agents observed Joseph Lamarca, 20, from Ponchatoula, crab fishing using allegedly stolen traps. When confronted, Lamarca claimed to have purchased the stolen traps from Michael Shea King, 19, of Hammond.

Agents confronted King whom admitted to have stolen the crab traps from a dock with the assistance of Lamarca. Lamarca confessed and both subjects were arrested. Also, while crabbing, Lamarca did not possess a vessel license, fire extinguisher and did not tag all crab traps per regulations.

If convicted of theft of crab traps (five counts each), Lamarca and King could face fines of $400 to $950, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs for each count.

Lamarca was also cited with Illegal possession of stolen property (five counts), possessing commercial fish without a vessel license, no fire extinguisher and using crab traps without required markings (15 counts).

If Lamarca is convicted of Illegal possession of stolen property, he faces a fine up to $3,000, imprisonment with or without hard labor for up to 10 years or both for each count. The penalty for possessing commercial fish without a vessel license is punishable by a fine of $250 to $500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs. The penalty for failing to have a fire extinguisher is a fine of $50. The penalty for using crab traps without required marking is a $250 to $500 fine, or up to 90 days in jail plus court costs.

Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Dane Thomas, Sgt. Guy Adams, Sr. Agent Clarence Marques and Sr. Agent Buck Hampton.

JOINT INVESTIGATION INTO POACHING RING ON MILITARY INSTALLATION LEADS TO GUILTY PLEAS

On June 23, 2010, two U.S. Army soldiers pled guilty in U.S. Magistrate Court to illegal hunting activities on Peason Ridge Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in 2006 and 2007.

Sergeant First Class (SFC) William M. Hutt, 36, of Pitkin, and SFC Andres I. Medrano, 36, of DeRidder, both pled guilty to one count each of taking deer during a closed season and taking turkey during a closed season. A third defendant, Roderick R. Lowers (U.S. Army retired), 42, of DeRidder, also reached an agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in which his charges were dropped in exchange for his testimony against Hutt and Medrano.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division began the investigation in October 2007, after agents received information that soldiers were killing a large number of deer illegally on the Peason Ridge WMA during training exercises.

Peason Ridge WMA is owned by the U.S. Army and is used for live fire training exercises by the military. The 20,000-acre WMA is enclosed by a fence and all access points are locked during live fire training for security and safety concerns. Hutt, Medrano and Lowers used their military positions to keep the WMA locked down after live fire training exercises in order to poach deer and turkey.

Federal Magistrate Kathleen Kay accepted the guilty pleas and ordered both Hutt and Medrano to each pay a fine and court cost in the amount of $1,920. She also revoked their hunting privileges for five years and placed them on supervised probation for two years.

Magistrate Kay also ordered the men to pay restitution to LDWF for the illegally taken deer and turkeys. Hutt is responsible to pay restitution in the amount of $7,374.94 for 11 deer and two turkeys. Medrano is responsible to pay restitution in the amount of $6,357.24 for six deer and four turkeys.

Lowers agreement includes a lifetime ban from hunting on government land and to pay restitution to LDWF in the amount of $524.54 for one deer.

Agents seized two 30-30 caliber rifles, a .223 caliber rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun, one skinning gambrel and hoist, one 9-point buck deer rack and cape, four turkey gobbler beards, and one turkey leg spur in connection with the case.

LDWF Lt. Bill Tyree initiated and led the investigation and was assisted by Sgt. Curt Belton, Sgt. Joe Dewil, Senior Agent Ronnie Robertson, Specialist Lynn Bennett, and Fort Polk Game Wardens J.E. Haymon and Elton Herring and Stanley Wellman assisted in the case.

SIX MEN SENTENCED FOR ILLEGAL DEER HUNTING ON KISATCHIE NATIONAL FOREST

Six men were sentenced on April 23 for hunting deer illegally on Kisatchie National Forest (KNF) by the 10th Judicial District Court in Natchitoches Parish.

Robert L. Belsha, 37, Jeremy C. Martin, 23, John D. Redden, 31, Michael L. Sanders Jr., 23, John H. Saucier III, 27, all of Leesville, each pled guilty to possession of an illegally taken deer. George F. Sheppard, 45, also of Leesville, pled guilty to not abiding by commission rules and regulations.

The men were charged following an investigation into illegal deer being killed during the bucks only segment of deer season on KNF. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents began the investigation after receiving information that a doe deer had been killed on KNF during a deer hunt with dogs on Dec. 22, 2009.

As a result of the investigation, agents were able to document six doe deer that were killed illegally by the men using deer dogs from Dec. 19 through Dec. 26, 2009, on KNF. LDWF agents seized three illegal deer and an antlerless deer tag.

Judge Dee Hawthorne accepted the guilty pleas and issued a suspended sentence of six months in jail to each man. Martin was fined $600 plus court costs, with each of the others fined $500 plus court costs. Redden, Sanders, and Sheppard were each ordered to pay LDWF restitution in the amount of $524.54 for their illegal deer. Belsha was ordered to pay LDWF restitution in the amount of $1049.08 for two illegal deer.

All six men were also placed on supervised probation for one year or until their fines and restitution are paid in full. In addition, Judge Hawthorne suspended the hunting privileges of Martin, Sheppard, Redden, Sanders and Belsha for one year.

Lt. Bill Tyree, Sgt. Curt Belton, and Senior Agents Russell Brack, Scotty Delaney, and Eric Droddy participated in the case.

The case was prosecuted by Natchitoches Parish District Attorney’s Office.

L.D.W.F. RECRUITING ENFORCEMENT CADETS FOR NEXT ACADEMY

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division is currently seeking interested candidates who want to become LDWF enforcement agents for the next LDWF Cadet Academy Training Program, which is scheduled to begin on Sept. 1, 2010.

Interested applicants must submit an application for employment online at www.civilservice.la.gov by July 18, 2010. Paper applications may also be submitted via fax, mail or hand delivery LDWF. If mailed, the envelope must be postmarked on or before the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

Applicants must have an active or converted score of 70 or above on the Civil Service Law Enforcement and Protective Services (LEAPS) exam. Preference may be given to applicants with a score of 77 or higher. Applicants may apply to take the test by accessing the Civil Service Web site at http://www.civilservice.la.gov/info/LEAPS/Applying%20for%20the%20LEAPS%20Test.pdf.

All Enforcement Cadets receive full state benefits and pay from the first day of training. The starting pay is $31,500 a year. Training will last 22 weeks and mostly be held in Baton Rouge Monday through Friday. Cadets will be allowed to go home on the weekends and holidays.

“This is one of the greatest jobs in the world if you enjoy law enforcement work and have a love for the outdoors,” LDWF Enforcement Division’s Lt. Col. Keith LaCaze said. "An agent’s life is never boring because it is seasonal in nature. The job changes according to the time of year with hunting regulations enforcement in the fall and winter and boating and fishing in the spring and summer.”

Cadets receive six months of intensive physical and academic training at the academy. At the academy, cadets train to enforce the state's recreational boating laws, the state and federal wildlife and fisheries laws and general law enforcement work on the state's many wildlife management areas. The academy also covers general law enforcement training equal to that of other state law enforcement officers. Cadets are also trained for search and rescue and are charged as the lead agency in search and rescue coordination under the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

For more information about testing and application information, please visit www.civilservice.la.gov or call the LDWF’s Human Resources Office at 225-765-2850.

Black Bear Killed on Hwy. 70 Near Belle River

A Louisiana black bear was killed Sunday when struck accidentally by an automobile while crossing LA Hwy. 70 near Belle River on the St. Martin-Assumption Parish line.

The bear had been reported in the Oaks at Belle River subdivision around dusk and was struck by a passing motorist after sunset, as it accessed the highway by swimming across Belle River.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) records indicate the bear was previously captured in the Patterson area in the summer of 2008 and subjected to aversive conditioning on site. Nuisance bears are captured, tagged and released using aversive conditioning in an effort to dissuade them from returning to residential areas.

“It’s the breeding season for the Louisiana black bear,” according to Maria Davidson, LDWF large carnivore program manager. “Male bears are traveling long distances in search of mates and consequently are crossing roadways in the process. This bear was a young adult male weighing approximately 250 pounds.”

Homeowners are reminded that bears are naturally shy and usually avoid contact with people. If a person sees a bear in their neighborhood they should retreat to a safe area and call the LDWF 24 hour hotline: 1-800-442-2511.

The St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office, Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office and LDWF Enforcement and Wildlife Division personnel were all part of the weekend response effort.

OUACHITA PARISH MAN CITED FOR POSSESSION OF SPOTTED FAWN

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited a Ouachita Parish man for allegedly possessing a spotted fawn on June 21.

Agents received a complaint that Danny Underwood, 45, of West Monroe, had a spotted fawn inside a mobile home in the Bawcomville community. Agents made contact with Underwood and he admitted to catching the fawn earlier in the day. The fawn was seized and released to the LDWF Wildlife Division.

The penalty for possessing a spotted fawn is a fine up to $750 and jail time between 15 and 30 days.

Agents involved in the case were Sgt. Duane Taylor and Agent Scott Bullitt.

CONCORDIA PARISH MEN CITED FOR OVERLIMIT OF BASS

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited two Concordia Parish men for allegedly taking over the limit of bass on Turkey Creek in Franklin Parish on June 20.

Casey W. Martin 27 and Edward R. Martin 41, both from Ferriday, were cited after being found in possession of 38 bass in their boat. The daily limit for bass on Turkey Creek is 10 per person. The bass were seized and donated to charity.

The penalty for taking over the limit of bass is a fine up to $350, and jail time up to 60 days or both plus court cost. Both subjects will also be issued civil restitution citations for the value of the fish.

Agent involved in the case was Senior Agent Lee Tarver.

LAFAYETTE PARISH MAN CITED FOR OVERLIMIT BASS

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited a Lafayette Parish man on June 21 for allegedly taking over the limit of largemouth black bass.

Kelly Barkley, 37, of Lafayette, was cited after fishing on Turkey Creek Lake in Franklin Parish. Upon making contact with Barkley, agents discovered 14 bass in his ice chest. The bass were seized, photographed and donated to charity. The daily limit for bass on Turkey Creek is 10.

The penalty for taking over the limit of bass is a fine up to $350, or jail time up to 60 days or both plus court cost.

Agents involved in the case were Senior Agents Leah Grover and John Hendrix.

L.D.W.F. AGENTS RECOVER SECOND VICTIM OF LAKE PALOURDE BOATING INCIDENT

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents today recovered the body of a teenaged girl who has been missing since entering the water in Lake Palourde this past weekend.

LDWF recovered the body of Theresa Hidalgo, 18, of Gramercy, near the west shore in Lake Palourde. Hidalgo was in a 16-foot bass boat along with husband and wife Michael, 39, and Andrea St. Amant, of Donaldsonville on Sunday, June 20 in Lake Palourde. Search teams recovered the body of Michael St. Amant on Monday, June 21.

According to Andrea St. Amant, Michael and Theresa fell overboard from Michael's boat around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 20. Andrea said that she did not know how to operate the boat and did not have cell phone service. After drifting for a few minutes, Andrea said she was able to flag down some nearby jet skiers who then were able to get to an area with cell phone service to call 911.

LDWF Enforcement Division agents received the 911 call and arrived on the scene within minutes and began searching for the missing boaters until nightfall. Other agencies that participated in the search for Michael and Theresa were the St. Mary's and St. Martin's Parish Sheriff's Offices, the Patterson Police Department, Stephensville Fire Department and Morgan City Fire Department.

L.D.W.F. RECOVERS MISSING BOATER IN LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents today recovered the body of the missing boater involved in the weekend boat crash incident in Lake Pontchartrain.

LDWF recovered the body of Eric Smith, 57, of the New Orleans area, the operator of a 21-foot boat that hit the causeway bridge on June 20 at approximately 9:30 p.m.

The three passengers, Mike Downin, Donald Marshall, 55, and Jimmy Valgarie, 55, all from the New Orleans area, were wearing their personal flotation devices (PFD) and were able to get back to the boat and call 911. Smith was not wearing a PFD.

The three survivors were recovered by the U.S. Coast Guard and transported to area hospitals for their injuries. The LDWF Enforcement Division, U.S. Coast Guard, and the Jefferson Parish and St. Tammany Sheriff’s Offices were the agencies involved in the search for Smith.

LDWF is the lead investigator of the boating crash incident and has the boat in custody. At this time, investigators suspect alcohol may have contributed to the boat crash incident.

L.D.W.F. ENFORCEMENT DIVISION COOPERATING IN OPERATION DRY WATER JUNE 25-27

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Law Enforcement Division (LDWF/LED) agents will take part in this weekend’s Operation Dry Water, a nationally coordinated effort focusing on increased boating safety.

From June 25 through 27, agents will be out in force patrolling state waterways for boat operators whose blood alcohol content exceeds the state limit of .08 percent. Operation Dry Water includes increased patrols as well as boater education.

"We want people to be safe and have fun while boating recreationally," commented Lt. Col. Jeff Mayne, LDWF’s state Boating Law Administrator. "But alcohol use has become the leading contributing factor in fatal recreational boating accidents. We recommend that boaters avoid drinking alcoholic beverages at all times, and we will have zero tolerance for anyone found operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs on our waters."

Alcohol can impair a boater’s judgment, balance, vision and reaction time. It can increase fatigue and susceptibility to the effects of cold-water immersion. Sun, wind, noise, vibration and motion intensify the side effects of alcohol, drugs and some prescription medications.

Louisiana had 32 fatalities from boating crash incidents in 2009. Alcohol was again the leading primary cause of those boating fatal incidents leading to 24 percent of the fatalities. Out of the 32 fatalities from boating crash incidents, 17 were drowning and 15 of those were not wearing a life jacket. Nationwide, statistics from 2008 reveal that 17 percent of all boat incident fatalities were a direct result of alcohol or drug us.

Impaired boaters caught this weekend can expect penalties to be severe. In Louisiana, a DWI on the water is the same penalties and fines as they are on the road and include jail time, fines and loss of driving and boating operator privileges.

“There will be arrests this weekend and some boaters will face the consequences of operating a boat while impaired," added Lt. Col. Mayne. "But we'd much rather arrest someone than to have to tell their friends and family they're never coming back."

Operation Dry Water is a joint program involving the LDWF/LED, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the U.S. Coast Guard. More information is available at www.operationdrywater.org.

L.D.W.F. SEARCHING FOR MISSING BOATER IN LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents are actively searching for a missing boater in Lake Pontchartrain.

LDWF agents were notified around midnight after a 21-foot boat carrying four people from the New Orleans Area hit the causeway bridge and all four were ejected into the water at approximately 9:30 p.m. on June 20.

The three passengers, Mike Downin, Donald Marshall and Jimmy Valgarie, were wearing their personal flotation devices (PFD) and were able to get back to the boat and call 911. The operator of the boat, Eric Smith, was not wearing a PFD and is still missing.

The three passengers were recovered by the U.S. Coast Guard and transported to area hospitals for their injuries. The LDWF Enforcement Division, U.S. Coast Guard, and the Jefferson Parish and St. Tammany Sheriff’s Offices are the agencies currently involved in the search.

LDWF is the lead investigators of the boating crash incident and has the boat in custody. At this time, investigators suspect alcohol may have contributed to the boating crash incident.

DROWNING VICTIM FOUND IN LAKE PALOURDE

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division is reporting that a missing Donaldsonville man who drowned in Lake Palourde was found this morning at 10 a.m.

Michael St. Amant, 39, went missing after he and another passenger, Theresa Hidalgo, 18, of Gramercy, fell overboard from Michael’s 16-foot bass boat around 2:30 p.m. on June 20 according to Michael’s wife, Andrea, who was the third person on the boat.

Andrea said that she did not know how to operate the boat and did not have cell phone service. After drifting for a few minutes, Andrea said she was able to flag down some nearby jet skis who then were able to get to an area with cell phone service to call 911.

LDWF Enforcement Division agents received the 911 call and arrived on the scene within minutes and began searching for missing boaters until nightfall. Other agencies participating in the search for Michael and Theresa are St. Mary’s and St. Martin’s Parish Sheriff’s Offices, the Patterson Police Department, Stephensville Fire Department and Morgan City Fire Department.

The search agencies will continue to search for the remaining missing boater until nightfall tonight and resume at daybreak tomorrow.

L.D.W.F. AGENTS PARTICIPATE IN SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSION IN ALLEN PARISH

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents participated in a search and rescue mission on Sunday, June 13 in Allen Parish.

LDWF Sgt. Keith Aucoin and Senior Agents Steven Vidrine and Shawn Brewer, along with local agencies, responded to a 911 call reporting an injured canoeist on the Ousika Chitto River at 2 p.m.

Barry Guidry, 44, of Lafayette was canoeing down the river and stopped to swing from a tree rope, severely injuring himself upon entering the water and striking a submerged object.

Around 3 p.m., Senior Agent Steven Vidrine and a local first responder from the fire department located Guidry approximately at the mid-way point along the nine-mile canoeing and tubing route.

Guidry was found lying in shallow water along the edge of a sandbar, surrounded by family members and other canoeists. Guidry was conscious and said he had no feeling in his body from his arms down.

Several other first responders arrived shortly thereafter and were able to stabilize Guidry on a backboard for transport via canoe to Allen Parish Ambulance Service paramedics.

Guidry was loaded onto an ambulance and transported to a nearby field where an Acadian Air Med helicopter was waiting. He was air lifted to Lafayette General Hospital, where he is presently in intensive care.

Other agencies assisting in the operation were the local Allen Parish Volunteer Fire Department, Allen Parish Ambulance Service, Allen Parish Fire and Rescue and Acadian Air Med.