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EIGHT OYSTER FISHERMEN CITED FOR TAKING OYSTERS FROM UNLEASED
STATE WATER BOTTOMS IN ST. BERNARD PARISH
L.D.W.F. RECRUITING ENFORCEMENT CADETS FOR NEXT CLASS
L.D.W.F. AGENTS CITE LITTER VIOLATORS AND MAKE DWI ARRESTS ON
OUACHITA RIVER
ST. JOHN MAN ARRESTED FOR STEALING CRAB TRAPS
CONVENT MAN CITED FOR LITTERING
KENNER MAN CITED FOR ILLEGAL FISH
TWO TERREBONNE PARISH SHRIMPERS CITED FOR CLOSED SEASON
SHRIMPING
MORGAN CITY FISHERMAN CITED FOR OVER THE LIMIT OF BLUE CRABS
L.D.W.F. AGENTS ARREST LASALLE PARISH WOMAN FOR DWI
LINCOLN PARISH MAN CITED FOR TAKING SQUIRRELS DURING A CLOSED
SEASON
LINCOLN PARISH COUPLE CITED FOR TAKING ILLEGAL SIZE BASS
AVOYELLES PARISH MAN ENTERS GUILTY PLEA TO DEER VIOLATIONS
TWO MEN CITED FOR SHARK VIOLATIONS
EIGHT OYSTER FISHERMEN CITED FOR TAKING OYSTERS FROM UNLEASED STATE WATER
BOTTOMS IN ST. BERNARD PARISH
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
cited eight men on Aug. 16 for alleged oyster violations near the Pumpkin
Bay area in St. Bernard Parish.
Korey Lee Jackson, 20, Joseph Roy Kinkella, 19, Mario Edvardo Burgos, 36,
Jordan A. Alfonso, 18, all from St. Bernard, Omar Maldonado Ortez, 26, and
William Diaz, 22, both from Houston, Texas, Jose Urbina, 24, from Gretna,
Charles Edward Johnson 2nd, 26, from Braithwaite were all cited for taking
oysters from unleased state water bottoms.
Agents patrolling near the Pumpkin Bay area saw three vessels dredging for
oysters on unleased water bottoms. The area in question contains private
leases and unleased state water bottoms. Utilizing the department's GPS,
agents marked the location before boarding the vessels. The locations were
found to be on unleased state water bottoms.
Agents seized and returned 34 sacks of oysters to the water and placed six
oyster dredges and three boats under seizure order.
The penalty for unlawfully taking oysters from state water bottoms is a fine
of up to $750, imprisonment for not more than 120 days, or both, plus courts
costs.
Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Bryan Marie and Sr. Agent Mike
Garrity.
L.D.W.F. RECRUITING ENFORCEMENT CADETS FOR NEXT CLASS
The Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement
Division is currently seeking interested candidates who want to become LDWF
enforcement agents for their next LDWF Cadet Training Program, which is
scheduled for November of 2006.
Interested applicants must complete the LEAPS 7500 Civil Service test before
Friday, Aug. 25 in order to qualify for the position. After taking the
test, applicants must submit their applications with supporting
documentation to LDWF by fax or mail postmarked no later than Sept. 1.
Applications that are e-mailed will not be accepted.
Applications are available online at
www.civilservice.gov, any state
agency's human resources office or job service office. For information
about the job vacancy, the required documentation for the application and
contact information, please visit
http://www.dscs.state.la.us/asp/csjobsearch/Search/Jobs.htm.
All cadets start receiving state benefits and pay from the first day of
training. The starting pay is $2,383.56 per month. Cadets will train in
Baton Rouge Monday through Friday, but will be allowed to go home on the
weekends.
"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. "The job is exciting and challenging and can involve
search and rescue resulting in saving lives."
LaCaze said that he would like to have 24 cadets in this class and that an
agent's life is never boring. "It is seasonal in nature as 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."
Applicants should only apply for those parishes in which they would be
willing to live and work and must submit a separate application with
supporting documentation for each parish where they would choose to work.
For more information about testing and application information please visit
www.civilservice.louisiana.gov or
www.yourfuture.louisiana.com or call the
LDWF's Human Resources Office at 225-765-2851.
L.D.W.F. AGENTS CITE LITTER VIOLATORS AND MAKE DWI ARRESTS ON OUACHITA RIVER
During the weekend
of Aug. 5 and 6, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries Enforcement Division agents made three arrests for alleged
operation of a motorized vessel while intoxicated. The arrests were made
while utilizing the division's Remote Testing Unit on the Ouachita River in
Ouachita Parish. In addition to the DWI arrests, six subjects were cited
for littering violations.
Thaddeus J. Ryan III, 40, of Monroe was arrested for alleged operating a
vessel while intoxicated. Ryan was also cited for improper running lights.
Theron A. Philips, 32, of Monroe, was arrested for operating a vessel while
intoxicated with a child 12 years or younger in the vessel. Philips was
also cited for littering. Robert L. Grady, 45, of Columbia, was also
arrested for operating a vessel while intoxicated with a child 12 years or
younger in vessel. In addition, Grady was cited for careless operation.
They were booked into the Ouachita Parish Jail.
Roy E. Maxey, 36, of Umpire, Arkansas; Shon G. Berry, 35, of West Monroe;
Tommy L. Auston, 19, of West Monroe; Jason C. Lyle, 29, of Shreveport; Ryan
M. Higgins, 21, of Monroe; and Timothy J. Williamson, 22, of West Monroe
were all cited for intentional littering offenses.
Penalties for operating a boat while intoxicated are identical to those for
operation of a vehicle while intoxicate on the highway. If convicted of the
offenses, the DWI violators may receive a maximum fine of $1,000, or jail up
to six months, or both for first offenses. The penalties for intentional
littering are fines up to $250 and eight hours of community service.
Careless operation of a boat is punishable by fines up to $300 and 30 days
in jail, or both. The penalties do not include additional court costs. The
penalty for running light violations is a fine of $50 or 15 days in jail or
both.
Agents participating in the cases were Lt. Mike Rockett, Lt. Rick Owens,
Sgts. Jamie Hagan, Darren Bruce, Jimmy Vining, and Sr. Agents Wayne Parker,
Mike Jeter, John Volentine, Stan House, Josh Estis and Scott Jeansonne.
ST. JOHN MAN ARRESTED FOR STEALING CRAB TRAPS
On Aug. 8,
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement
Division agents cited Charles H. Larose Jr., 30, of Reserve for allegedly
stealing crab traps.
Larose was apprehended on Lake Maurepas, west of Reserve Canal in St. John
Parish after agent Edward Ridgel found him in possession of another
fisherman's crab trap. Fishermen are required by law to tag each trap with
their license number. Larose was arrested and cited for theft of crab
traps. The stolen trap was seized as evidence.
Theft of crab traps carries a fine between $400-$750 or jail time up to 120
days or both plus court costs.
CONVENT MAN CITED FOR LITTERING
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
on Aug. 3 cited a Convent man for an alleged gross littering violation.
Johnnie Shorty, 51, was apprehended on the Batture side of the Mississippi
River Levee in Convent, located in St. James Parish, after agents allegedly
witnessed him dump a pile of trash from the bed of his truck.
The penalty for this violation is a fine between $500-$1000 and possible
community service of eight hours in a litter abatement work program as
approved by the court.
Agents participating in this case were Sgt. Davis Madere and Sr. Agent
William Boyd.
KENNER MAN CITED FOR ILLEGAL FISH
Enforcement agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
cited Edward Rodriguez Jr., 56, of Kenner on July 29 for allegedly
possessing undersized speckled trout and bull shark.
Agents were patrolling the Port Fourchon area of Lafourche Parish when they
encountered Rodriguez. During the course of an inspection to ensure
compliance with state and federal fishing and boating safety regulations,
the agents discovered ten speckled trout under the legal 12-inch minimum
size limit as well as one bull shark measuring under the legal 54-inch size
limit.
If convicted of possession of undersized speckled trout, Rodriguez faces
fines between $100 and $350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court
costs, a $25 fine per fish under 12 inches, and revocation of any fishing
licenses for up to three years. If convicted of possession of undersized
bull shark, he faces a fine between $100 and $350, or jail time up to 60
days, or both plus court costs.
Agents involved in this case were Sgt. Davis Madere, Sgt. Chad Hebert and
Sr. Agent William Boyd.
TWO TERREBONNE PARISH SHRIMPERS CITED FOR CLOSED SEASON
SHRIMPING
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
cited Wallace Trosclair Jr., 17, and Adrian Trosclair, 20, both of Houma for
allegedly using skimmer nets during a closed season on July 27.
The two received the citations after agents witnessed the men using their
vessel, which was a 29-foot skiff equipped with skimmer nets and frames to
catch shrimp in Oyster Bayou located in Terrebonne Parish. The inshore
shrimping season is not set to open until Aug. 14 in the area of Oyster
Bayou.
Agents seized 839 pounds of shrimp which were later sold to an area seafood
dealer at the fair market value of $839. That money will be kept until
disposition of this case by the Terrebonne Parish District Attorney's
Office. The nets were also seized as evidence in this case. Their skiff
was seized under a LDWF seizure order form.
If convicted both men face fines between $400 to $750, or jail time up to
120 days, or both plus court costs. In addition to any and all other
penalties, for the first conviction of shrimping during the closed season
the court may revoke or suspend the violators trawl, skimmer and butterfly
gear licenses for one year from the date of the conviction. During such
revocation or suspension, the violator may be present on a vessel harvesting
or possessing shrimp or possessing a trawl, skimmer, or butterfly net only
if the vessel is equipped with and employs an operating vessel monitoring
system which is accessible to LDWF. The court shall also sentence the
violator to perform 40 hours of community service in a litter abatement
program if available.
Agents involved in this case were Sgt. Ross Mire and Agent David Boudreaux.
MORGAN CITY FISHERMAN CITED
FOR OVER THE LIMIT OF BLUE CRABS
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division
agents
cited Thomas Davis, 46, of Morgan City on July 26 for allegedly taking over
the recreational limit of blue crabs in Bayou Magazille in St. Martin
Parish.
Agents were patrolling the Bayou Magazille area at around 5:30 p.m. when
they observed Davis raising crab traps and emptying the contents into his
vessel. The agents then conducted a stop of Davis' vessel in order to
insure compliance with fishing as well as boating safety regulations.
During the course of the stop, the agents found that Davis was in possession
of a recreational crab trap gear license, which allowed him to use up to 10
crab traps and possess up to 144 blue crabs. Upon checking Davis' crabs,
the agents discovered that he was in possession of 249 blue crabs. As a
result, Davis was issued a citation for possession of over the limit of blue
crabs.
If convicted, Davis faces fines between $400 and $750, or jail time up to
120 days, or both plus court costs.
The crabs were seized and returned to the water. Davis' vessel was seized
under a LDWF seizure order form.
Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Winston Michel and Sr. Agent
Scott Dupre.
L.D.W.F. AGENTS ARREST LASALLE PARISH WOMAN FOR DWI
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
arrested a LaSalle Parish woman for DWI on the evening of July 23, on Lake
Darbonne in Union Parish.
Agents stopped Shelly M. Jones, 30, of Olla, after they observed the
personal watercraft she was operating did not have boat registration numbers
displayed. After making contact with Jones, agents detected a strong smell
of alcohol coming from Jones and noticed she had slurred speech. Field
sobriety tests were administered and Jones was arrested for operating a
vessel while under the influence of alcohol. She was transported to the
Union Parish Detention Center where she was booked for DWI first offense.
The penalty for DWI first offense is a fine from $300 to $1,000 and jail
time between 10 days and six months.
Agents involved in the case were Sgt. Lane Kincaid and Senior Agent Scott
Jeansonne.
LINCOLN PARISH MAN CITED FOR
TAKING SQUIRRELS DURING A CLOSED SEASON
Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited a
Lincoln
Parish man on July 20 for taking squirrels during a closed season.
Scott C. Terry, 48, of Ruston was cited after agents received a complaint of
several dead squirrels that had been discarded on Ashland Road in Ruston.
During the investigation, agents located seven dead squirrels and later made
contact with Terry. During questioning, Terry allegedly admitted to
shooting the squirrels with a .22 caliber pellet pistol because they had
become a nuisance in his garden and yard.
The penalty for taking squirrels during a closed season is a fine between
$250 and $500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs.
Agents involved in the case were Senior Agent Mike Jeter and Agents John
Volentine.
LINCOLN PARISH COUPLE CITED FOR
TAKING ILLEGAL SIZE BASS
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division
agents
cited a Lincoln Parish couple on the morning of July 18 for taking illegal
sized black bass.
Agents checked Paul C. Shields, 50, and Myra Shields, 47, of Dubach while
bass fishing on Caney Lake in Jackson Parish. During the check of the boats
live-well, agents discovered two bass that measured within the protected 15
to 19 inch slot. The bass, measuring 15 1/2 inches and 16 inches were
seized, photographed and released alive into the lake. Caney Lake is one of
Louisiana's designated trophy lakes, which has a protected slot on black
bass.
The penalty for taking illegal sized black bass is a fine from $100 to $350,
or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court costs.
Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Duane Taylor and Senior Agent
Mike Jeter.
OUACHITA PARISH MAN CITED FOR
TAKING DEER DURING A CLOSED SEASON
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division
agents
cited a Ouachita Parish man on July 21 for taking deer during a closed
season.
Larry J. Toston, 56, of West Monroe, reportedly admitted to shooting a deer
on July 16, while it was eating in a relative's garden located on Britton
Road in Ouachita Parish. Agents seized deer meat from a freezer at Toston's
residence and the rifle used to kill the deer. The meat was donated to
charity.
The penalties for taking deer during a closed season include a fine from
$900 to $950, or jail time up to 120 days, plus court costs.
Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Jimmy Vining and Agent John
Volentine.
TWO WEST FELICIANA PARISH MEN CITED FOR DEER VIOLATION
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
cited two West Feliciana Parish men on July 17 for allegedly killing a deer
during a closed season.
After receiving a complaint and investigating the recent killing of an
eight-point buck found on Angola State Penitentiary property, agents were
able to apprehend Sidney Floyd Jr., 37, and Donald Lamana, 31, both of
Angola.
Agents questioned both men about their actions on the night of July 5, 2006,
and both men claimed they had used a high powered light to see what they
thought was a coyote and shot. The dead deer with a bullet in its neck was
later found by other Angola Penitentiary employees and reported to LDWF
Enforcement Division agents.
Floyd and Lamana were cited for taking deer during a closed season and
taking deer with an artificial light. Both are punishable by fines of $900
to $950, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs and
forfeiture of anything seized. They were additionally charged with hunting
from a moving vehicle, which is punishable by a fine of $250 to $500 or jail
time up to 90 days plus court costs.
Agents participating in the case were Senior Agents Chad Menzina and Will
Roberts.
ALLIGATOR POACHERS CITED IN ORLEANS PARISH
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
cited two residents of Texas and a Jefferson Parish man on July 15 for
alleged alligator violations.
John Clulee Jr., 28, of Marrero, Francisco Menedez, 20, of Houston, Texas,
and Christopher D. Coleman, 20, of Aransas, Texas were each cited on July 15
for taking an alligator during a closed season and illegal possession of an
alligator.
Recently, the Region VIII Enforcement Office has received numerous
complaints concerning non-residents killing alligators near the Bayou Savage
Wildlife Refuge in Orleans Parish. The agents were conducting surveillance
of this area when they saw Clulee, Menedez and Coleman capture a 5-foot
alligator and then place the alligator in the bed of a pickup truck. After
agents issued citations to the three subjects, they released the alligator
unharmed.
Taking alligators during a closed season and illegal possession of
alligators each carry a fine up to $750, or jail time up to 120 days, or
both plus court cost.
Sgt. Eddie Skena and Sr. Agent Kris Bourgeois participated in the
investigation.
AVOYELLES PARISH MAN ENTERS GUILTY PLEA TO DEER
VIOLATIONS
On June 29,
Lawrence B. Davis, 45, of Mansura, pled guilty to possession of
an illegally taken deer, hunting without a resident license and hunting
without a big game license.
The guilty plea was the result of an investigation by Louisiana Department
of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents of illegal hunting in
Avoyelles Parish. Agents had received information that Davis killed a
trophy buck on the morning of Feb. 15, 2006 with a shotgun. The only legal
method for taking deer on this date was with archery equipment.
12th Judicial District Judge William Bennett ordered a search of Davis'
residence and the antlers of the buck were discovered in the search.
Judge Bennett accepted Davis' guilty pleas and issued a suspended sentence
of 90 days in jail. He placed Davis on probation for one year with the
condition that he pays $931.50 in fines and fees. In addition, Judge
Bennett ordered Davis to pay restitution in the amount of $524 to LDWF for
the illegally taken deer.
District Attorney Charles A. Riddle III prosecuted the case. Agents
participating in the case were Capt. Peter Oliver, Lt. Eric Stokes, Sgt.
Gabe Guidry and Agent Doug Anderson, Jr.
TWO MEN CITED FOR SHARK VIOLATIONS
On June 30,
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement
Division agents cited two Mississippi residents for alleged shark violations
in Louisiana waters near the Chandeleur Islands.
The agents observed two men and a juvenile fishing with rods and reels in
the Gulf of Mexico. The agents stopped the three in order to perform a
license compliance inspection. During the course of the inspection, agents
discovered they were in possession of two spinner sharks and a blackfin
shark. The season on sharks was not set to open until July 1.
Alan Daughtery, 43, of Lumberton and William McQueen, 43, of Gulfport, were
cited for allegedly taking sharks during the closed season and not
possessing Louisiana non-resident basic and saltwater fishing licenses.
Daughtery was also cited for allegedly taking an undersized blackfin shark.
The minimum size limit of blackfin and spinner sharks is a fork length of 54
inches.
Taking sharks during a closed season and possessing undersized sharks are
violations of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission rules and
regulations. Angling without non-resident licenses and violations of
commission rules are Class 2 violations, with each carrying a penalty of a
fine between $150 and $350, or 60 days in jail, or both plus court costs.
Agents participating in the investigation were Senior Agents Jason Russo and
Kris Bourgeois. |
