|
TWO CITED IN VERMILION PARISH FOR MIGRATORY BIRD VIOLATIONS
NIGHT HUNTERS SENTENCED IN TANGIPAHOA PARISH
PLAQUEMINES PARISH RESIDENT CITED FOR ILLEGAL DEER
LAPLACE MAN ARRESTED FOR HUNTING DURING ILLEGAL HOURS
CALDWELL PARISH MAN CITED FOR POSSESSING TOO MANY DEER ON
BOEUF W.M.A.
CADDO PARISH MEN CITED FOR MULTIPLE MIGRATORY GAME BIRD VIOLATIONS
NIGHT HUNTERS CITED IN ALLEN AND VERMILION PARISH
WEB SITE HELPS PEOPLE FIND MISSING BOATS
KENNER MAN CITED FOR ILLEGAL DUCK HUNTING
TEXAS MAN CITED FOR ILLEGAL NIGHT DEER HUNTING
L.D.W.F. AGENTS CITE THREE MEN
FOR ALLIGATOR POACHING
L.D.W.F AGENTS MAKE DRUG ARREST ON
THREE RIVERS W.M.A.
THREE AVOYELLES PARISH MEN
BOOKED FOR TAKING ALTERNATE LIVESTOCK DEER
FEDERAL SENTENCE HANDED DOWN IN
ILLEGAL ALLIGATOR HUNTING CASE
L.D.W.F. AGENTS ARREST TWO MEN
AFTER BOAT CHASE
TWO CITED IN VERMILION PARISH FOR MIGRATORY BIRD
VIOLATIONS
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
cited two men in Vermilion Parish for violations of the Migratory Bird
Treaty Act during the first week of December.
Agents cited Percy Chatagnier II, 22, of St. Martinville on Dec. 6 for
taking white-fronted geese, also known as speckle bellies, during a closed
season. Agents patrolling for migratory bird hunters near the town of
Wright found Chatagnier in possession of two freshly killed white-fronted
geese and 10 blue geese.
On Dec. 7, agents cited Brian Braus, 21, of Kaplan for hunting migratory
game birds from a public road. While investigating a complaint about
shooting geese from a public road, agents apprehended Braus after he
allegedly shot two blue geese from Mulberry Road near Kaplan.
The penalty for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act is a fine up to
$15,000, or jail time up to six months or both.
Agents participating in the cases were Senior Agents Keith Delahoussaye,
Lonnie Campbell and Layne Picard.
NIGHT HUNTERS SENTENCED IN TANGIPAHOA PARISH
The 21st Judicial
District Court sentenced two Louisiana men on Nov. 28,
2005 in Tangipahoa for illegal night hunting activity.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
cited Patrick Fink Jr., 22, of Hammond and Christopher Brown, 22, of Albany
for hunting violations that occurred on Jan. 25 and 26, 2005 in the
Wadesboro area of Tangipahoa Parish.
Fink pled guilty to two counts of deer hunting during illegal hours, hunting
deer from a public road, hunting from a moving vehicle, hunting raccoons
illegally and two counts of hunting deer illegally from a boat. Judge Beth
Wolf ordered Fink to pay $2,600 in fines, plus court costs and to serve 120
days in jail. The jail sentence was suspended. Fink also paid over $300
for release of his truck and boat from impoundment.
Brown pled guilty to deer hunting during illegal hours, hunting deer from a
public road, hunting from a moving vehicle, hunting raccoons illegally and
hunting deer illegally from a boat. Judge Wolf fined him $1,600, plus court
costs and gave him a 120-day suspended jail sentence.
Agents participating in the case were Senior Agent Toby Miller, Sgt. Dane
Thomas and Lt. Len Yokum.
PLAQUEMINES PARISH RESIDENT CITED FOR ILLEGAL DEER
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division
agents cited a Plaquemines Parish resident for multiple deer violations in
St. Mary and Plaquemines parishes.
Ludger Couvillion, 24, from Pointe a la Hache, was issued the citations
after agents received a complaint of a man cleaning two doe deer in Morgan
City on Dec. 2. The agents made contact with Couvillion and interviewed him.
He allegedly claimed to have taken the does on Dec. 1 near his hometown.
The deer hunting season in that area of Plaquemines Parish has been closed
since Hurricane Katrina, Dec. 1 was not a doe day and the daily bag limit on
deer is one with antlers and one without antlers when legal.
Couvillion was issued a citation in St. Mary Parish for possession of
illegally taken deer. He was also issued a citation in Plaquemines Parish
for taking deer during a closed season and taking more than the limit of
deer.
The penalty for possession of illegally taken deer is a fine between $400
and $750, or 120 days in jail plus forfeiture of anything seized in
connection with the violation. The penalty for taking deer during a closed
season is a fine between $900 and $950, or 120 days in jail plus the
forfeiture of anything seized in connection with the violation. Taking deer
over the limit carries a penalty between $250 and $500 in fines, or 90 days
in jail or both. In addition to the criminal penalties, Couvillion faces
civil restitution for the value of the deer, which is set at $524.54 each.
The two deer were seized and later donated to charity. Couvillion's pick-up
truck was seized on a LDWF seizure order and is pending the court outcome.
Agents involved in this case were Sgt. Ross Mire and Senior Agent Winston
Michel.
LAPLACE MAN ARRESTED FOR HUNTING DURING ILLEGAL HOURS
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division
agents arrested Randy Walker, 40, of LaPlace for allegedly hunting during
illegal hours, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and resisting
arrest on Nov. 25.
Agents claim that at approximately 6:30 p.m. they observed Walker and a
juvenile companion using a hand held flashlight and two air rifles to hunt
small game on the river side of the Mississippi River levee near Hwy 44 in
LaPlace.
The agents stopped and disarmed the subjects and were in the process of
issuing citations when Walker fled the scene. The agents chased him on foot
and a brief physical altercation ensued. The agents were able to subdue
Walker and place him under physical arrest. He was later booked into the
St. John Parish jail.
If convicted of hunting wild quadrupeds during illegal hours, Walker faces
fines between $250 and $500, or six months in jail or both. The penalty for
contributing to the delinquency of a minor is a fine of $500, or six months
in jail or both. Resisting arrest carries a fine of $500, or six months in
jail or both.
Agents involved in this case were Senior Agent Aron Hastings and Cadet Eddie
Ridgel.
CALDWELL PARISH MAN CITED FOR POSSESSING TOO MANY DEER ON BOEUF
W.M.A.
Enforcement agents
from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
(LDWF) cited a Grayson man for allegedly possessing deer over the legal
limit on Nov. 25.
While patrolling on Bouef Wildlife Management Area, agents came into contact
with Brandon Heath Rider, 30, and found him to be in possession of two
antlerless deer. After talking with Rider and obtaining information about
the two deer, agents found that Rider had taken both deer while hunting that
morning on Boeuf WMA.
The daily limit for deer on a WMA (Wildlife Management Area) is one
antlerless deer and one with antlers per day.
Taking or possessing deer over the legal limit carries a fine up to $500,
jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs.
Agents participating in the case were Sr. Agent Scott Watson and Sgt. Gary
Watts.
CADDO PARISH MEN CITED FOR MULTIPLE MIGRATORY GAME BIRD VIOLATIONS
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division
agents cited six men and two juveniles in Caddo Parish for alleged multiple
migratory game bird violations near Vivian on Nov. 26.
Francis M. Hale, 37, of Vivian, was cited for allegedly duck hunting during
illegal hours, without a federal duck stamp and state duck hunting license.
Justin Q. Hale, 22, Samuel C. Tyson, 22, Clifford D. Rowell, Jr., 19, all of
Vivian, Talmadge J. Dail, 29, of Ida, Jared K. Chiles, 19, of Bivins,
Texas., and two juveniles were issued citations for allegedly hunting ducks
during illegal hours, violating non-toxic shot requirements, taking ducks
over the legal limit and wanton waste of migratory game birds. In addition,
Justin Hale was cited for hunting ducks with an unplugged gun and Clifford
Rowell was cited for hunting ducks without a federal duck stamp and state
duck hunting license.
Agents received an anonymous complaint concerning late shooting taking place
in north Caddo Parish. Upon arrival, the agents heard heavy shooting well
after sunset when legal shooting hours for migratory game birds end each
day. The eight hunters were contacted and found to have taken 38 wood
ducks. The daily limit for wood ducks is two per person. The agents seized
the ducks and donated them to charity.
The penalties for each migratory game bird violation are fines up to
$15,000, up to one year in jail and loss of hunting privileges world-wide.
Agents participating in the case were Sr. Agents Frank Reger and Jason
Clinton.
NIGHT HUNTERS CITED IN ALLEN AND VERMILION PARISH
Enforcement Division agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries (LDWF) reported several night hunting cases made in Allen and
Vermilion parishes in November.
Agents cited Nicholas Soileau, 22, of Eunice on Nov. 7 on the West Bay
Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Allen Parish for allegedly hunting deer
during illegal hours, hunting from a moving vehicle, hunting deer from a
public road and also for violating numerous rules and regulations of a WMA.
Senior Agent Joey James allegedly observed Soileau shining clear-cuts on the
WMA with a spotlight from his vehicle. Soileau was subsequently stopped and
the agent found a loaded 7 mm magnum rifle next to him on the front seat,
along with a Q-Beam spotlight still plugged into the power point hookup of
the vehicle. Soileau admitted that he was hunting deer. His rifle and
spotlight were seized as evidence.
Two Kinder men were cited on Nov. 26 for allegedly hunting wild quadrupeds
during illegal hours with artificial light, hunting from a moving vehicle
and hunting from a public road. Eric Lavan, 21, and Jacob Lormand, 22, were
observed by Sgts. David Liles and Keith Aucoin using the headlights of their
vehicle to illuminate fields and road right of ways. The agents stopped the
vehicle on Parish Line Road in Allen Parish, and found a loaded .22-caliber
rifle and 12-gauge-shotgun in the front seat of the vehicle. The men
admitted to rabbit hunting. Both guns were seized in connection with the
violations.
Sgt. David Sanford cited a Vermilion Parish man on Nov. 23 for allegedly
taking deer during illegal hours with artificial light. Bryan Guidry, 31,
of Abbeville was observed parked on the shoulder of Highway 82 near
Rockefeller Refuge. Sgt. Sanford stopped to see if the motorist needed
assistance. He then followed a trail of muddy footprints and found a
freshly killed 8-point buck nearby, which Guidry admitted to killing.
Seized in connection with the violation were a Marlin .17-caliber rifle and
a spotlight. The deer was donated to charity.
The penalty for hunting deer during illegal hours is a fine up to $950, or
jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs and forfeiture of
anything seized. The penalty for hunting deer from a public road is a fine
up to $350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both and court costs. The
violations of hunting wild quadrupeds during illegal hours with artificial
light and hunting from a moving vehicle each carry a fine up to $500, or
jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs. The violations of
hunting from a public road and not abiding by the rules and regulations on a
WMA each carry a fine up to $350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus
court costs.
WEB SITE HELPS PEOPLE FIND MISSING BOATS
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has established a new Web
site that will enable boat owners to search for boats that were lost as a
result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The Web site allows the public to access information on all recreational and
commercial vessels located and reported to the department by LDWF
Enforcement Division agents, insurance companies, private citizens and
others involved in recovery and removal of displaced boats. The site is
updated daily as information on boats is received.
"We're hopeful this new tool will assist boat owners in locating their boats
that were lost as a result of the storms," said Lt. Col. Brian Spillman,
state boating law administrator. Spillman also encourages people who find
boats that appear to be displaced to report them to the department's boat
registration section by calling 225-765-2898 for inclusion in the database.
According to the department, up to 50,000 boats were displaced during the
two hurricanes.
Interested people can access the Web site through a link under the What's
New section of LDWF's home page at
www.wlf.louisiana.gov.
KENNER MAN CITED FOR ILLEGAL DUCK HUNTING
Agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement
Division cited a Jefferson Parish man for allegedly hunting ducks during
illegal hours and taking over the limit of ducks.
Edward A. Becker Jr., 26, of Kenner was cited after agents allegedly
observed him shooting wood ducks after legal shooting hours on the evening
of Nov. 21 near LaPlace in St. John Parish.
The agents maintained surveillance of Becker until he ended his hunt at 5:40
p.m. When the agents approached Becker, they found him in possession of
three wood ducks, which is one over the legal daily field possession limit.
Official shooting hours had also ended on Nov. 21 at 5:02 p.m.
The three wood ducks were seized and later donated to charity. The case
will be referred to the U.S. Attorney in New Orleans for prosecution in U.S.
District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Agents involved in this case were Sgt. Davis Madere and Agent Eddie Ridgel.
TEXAS MAN CITED FOR ILLEGAL NIGHT DEER HUNTING
A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Enforcement Division senior agent
cited a Texas man in north Caddo Parish for allegedly hunting deer at night
on Nov. 22.
Senior agent Frank Reger cited Marcio Ray Stanford, 49, of Bivins, Texas for
hunting deer during illegal hours or with artificial light, hunting deer
from a public road, illegal spotlighting from a public road and hunting from
a moving vehicle.
Reger received information from the Caddo Sheriff's Office concerning a
vehicle found spotlighting from a public road near an industrial complex
south of Vivian. On arrival, Reger found two loaded rifles in the front
seat of the truck with a spotlight mounted on one of the rifles.
The penalty for deer hunting during illegal hours is a fine between $900 and
$950, or 120 days in jail, or both plus court costs and forfeiture of
anything seized, which included two rifles and a scope-mount spotlight.
Hunting deer from a public road carries a fine between $100 and $350, or 60
days in jail, or both plus court costs. Hunting from a moving vehicle is
punishable by a fine between $250 and $500, or 90 days in jail, or both plus
court costs.
L.D.W.F. AGENTS CITE THREE MEN FOR ALLIGATOR POACHING
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
cited three Oakdale residents for two alleged alligator violations on Nov.
24 in Red River.
Danny K. Ware, 36, Daniel K. Ware, 18, and Jeremy T. Greenlee, 27, were
cited for taking alligators during a closed season and taking alligators
without a license. Danny K. Ware and Daniel K. Ware were also cited for
hunting raccoons illegally.
Agent Douglas Anderson Jr. was on patrol on Three Rivers Wildlife Management
Area at approximately 11:45 p.m. when he observed a boat approaching the
boat launch on the Red River. Anderson then observed Danny K. Ware throw
an alligator measuring approximately three feet in length overboard. Once
agent Anderson made contact with the individuals he also found them to be in
possession of one raccoon. It is illegal to take raccoons from a boat and
without the aid of a dog.
Taking alligators during a closed season carries a fine up to $750, jail
time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs. Taking alligators without a
license is punishable by a fine up to $500, jail time up to 90 days, or both
plus court costs. Hunting raccoons illegally has a fine up to $500, jail
time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs.
Agents participating in the case were Agent Douglas Anderson Jr., Sr. Agent
Joey Tarver, and Sgt. Russ Kiser.
L.D.W.F AGENTS MAKE DRUG ARREST ON THREE RIVERS W.M.A.
On Thanksgiving Day, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Enforcement Division agents arrested and booked a Ville Platte man into the
Concordia Parish jail for alleged drug violations on Three Rivers Wildlife
Management Area (WMA).
Sgt. Russ Kiser was investigating a vehicle parked down a closed road on
Three Rivers WMA when he made contact with Joey Lee Moran, 25, who was found
with alleged possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. A pipe and one
bag of a substance that Kiser suspected was marijuana were seized as
evidence. Moran was also cited for three counts of violating WMA rules and
regulations.
First offense possession of marijuana carries maximum penalties of a $500
fine, six months in jail, or both plus court costs. Possession of drug
paraphernalia carries a fine up to $500, jail time up to six months, or both
plus court costs. Each violation of WMA rules and regulations carries
maximum penalties of a $350 fine, 60 days in jail, or both plus court costs.
Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Russ Kiser, Sr. Agent Joey
Tarver, Agent Douglas Anderson Jr. and Lt. Kenneth Hedricks.
THREE AVOYELLES PARISH MEN BOOKED FOR TAKING ALTERNATE
LIVESTOCK DEER
Agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement
Division arrested and booked three men into the Concordia Parish Jail for
alleged theft of livestock and taking deer from a public road on Monday,
Nov. 21.
Andrew P. Coco, 51, of Moreauville, David Antwine, 45, of Simmesport, and
Wallace Dupont, 57, also of Simmesport were arrested for allegedly killing
and stealing a large domestic buck deer owned as alternate livestock, and
for shooting the deer from a public road.
At approximately 2:45 p.m., the manager of Blackhawk Plantation informed
LDWF Sgt. James Parish that he was holding three men who had shot and killed
a 13-point buck that scored 178 inches by Boone and Crockett measurement.
The deer had been shot through an eight-foot game fence.
Upon arrival Sgt. Parish learned that Coco had shot the deer from Louisiana
Hwy. 15 from their vehicle. The deer was valued at $15,000.
Theft of livestock carries a penalty up to $5,000 in fines, jail time up to
10 years, or both plus court costs. Taking deer from a public road carries
a penalty up to $350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court costs.
One 30-06 rifle was also seized as evidence.
Coco and Dupont were both released on a $37,500 bond. Antwine was released
on a $47,500 bond.
Agents participating in the case were Sgt. James Parish and Lt. Kenneth
Hedricks.
FEDERAL SENTENCE HANDED DOWN IN ILLEGAL ALLIGATOR HUNTING CASE
Kip Lastrapes, 44, of Breaux Bridge entered into a one-count plea agreement
on Nov. 15 in U.S. District Court for the Western District in Lafayette for
taking alligators in violation of the Endangered Species Act.
On Sept. 7, 2004, three of Lastrapes' alligator hunting helpers were cited
by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division
agents for taking alligators on property for which they did not possess
alligator harvest tags.
An investigation resulted in the determination that the helpers were
illegally taking alligators from this area under instructions by Lastrapes.
It was also determined that this activity had taken place in previous years.
United States Magistrate Michael Hill sentenced Lastrapes to 180 days of
home confinement and to pay the cost of electronic monitoring, three years
of supervised probation with the provision that he cannot hunt alligators,
and to pay a $25 assessment fee. In addition, Lastrapes was ordered to make
a $10,000 donation to Louisiana Operation Game Thief, Inc., the state's
poacher apprehension organization.
Prosecuting the case for the government was Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke
Walker.
Agents participating in the case were Sgt. James D. Rhodes, Senior Agent
Jordan Bayham and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Special Agent Philip Siragusa.
L.D.W.F. AGENTS ARREST TWO MEN AFTER BOAT CHASE
Two Caddo Parish men were cited on Nov. 21 by Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents on Caddo Lake for
multiple fishing violations.
Carl C. Futrell, Jr., 50, and Ted McCrory, 57, both of Mooringsport were
cited for allegedly taking game fish illegally, taking commercial fish
without commercial licenses, taking commercial fish without commercial gear
licenses, using lead nets in other than overflow regions and resisting an
officer.
Agents received information concerning game fish being taken with illegal
nets on Caddo Lake. After a short investigation the day before, agents
discovered two hoop nets with a 75-yard lead net connecting them. The next
evening, agents saw the two men boat to the net location and take fish from
them. After a short boat chase, Futrell and McCrory were apprehended, but
not before they dumped two tubs of assorted game and commercial fish over
the side of the boat. However, several crappie remained in the bottom of
the boat when agents pulled along side.
Agents seized 10 crappie, four bream, four flathead catfish, three fresh
water drum, two gar, a 15-foot Jon boat and a 25 horsepower Yamaha outboard
motor. The crappie and bream were donated to charity. The remaining fish
were released to the water.
The penalty for taking game fish illegally is a fine between $400 and $750,
or 120 days in jail, or both plus court costs and forfeiture of anything
seized. Taking commercial fish without a commercial license and taking
commercial fish without a commercial gear license are both punishable by a
fine between $250 and $500, or 90 days in jail, or both plus court costs for
each offense. Using lead nets in other than overflow regions carries a fine
between $400 and $750, or 120 days in jail, or both plus court cost.
Resisting an officer has a fine up to $500 or jail time for up to six
months.
Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Wesley Walker and Sgt. Lynn
Presley.
|
