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DECEMBER 2007 NEWS |
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ST. CHARLES
PARISH RESIDENT CITED FOR MULTIPLE BIG GAME VIOLATIONS
L.D.W.F. AGENTS CITE DUCK HUNTERS DEER HUNTER ARRESTED ON WEST BAY W.M.A. FOR ATTEMPTED BRIBERY LINCOLN
PARISH MAN CITED FOR DEER HUNTING VIOLATIONS AGENTS MAKE FELONY ARRESTS FOR ILLEGAL WEAPON AGENT NABS HUNTER WITH MODERN FIREARM DURING MUZZLELOADER SEASON PLAQUEMINES PARISH MAN SENTENCED FOR GILLNET VIOLATIONS AGENTS MAKE FELONY ARRESTS FOR ILLEGAL WEAPON LINCOLN PARISH FATHER AND SON CITED FOR HUNTING VIOLATIONS BOGALUSA MAN CITED BY L.D.W.F. NEW ORLEANS MAN CITED IN UNDERCOVER STING EIGHTEEN MEN CITED FOR ILLEGAL OYSTER HARVEST IN JEFFERSON PARISH
ST. CHARLES PARISH RESIDENT CITED FOR MULTIPLE BIG GAME VIOLATIONS A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agent cited a St. Charles Parish resident on Nov. 16, for alleged hunting violations on the Hurricane Protection Levee near Paradis Canal. Samuel J. Graffia, 27, of Paradis, was cited for hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license, hunting deer using illegal methods, driving on levees and obstruction of justice. Agent Derek Sampey responded to a complaint from a confidential informant who informed him that Graffia was hunting deer with a high-powered riffle during the muzzleloader season. Sampey observed Graffia in the area of the complaint and conducted a license compliance check. Graffia stated that he was not hunting, but Sampey uncovered Graffia’s rifle hidden among some brush where his ATV was parked. The rifle and miscellaneous hunting gear were seized and will be held as evidence for trial. Hunting without a license and hunting without a big game license both carry a fine up to $50, or jail time up to 15 days, or both, with no court costs on the first offense. Hunting deer using illegal methods carries a fine between $250 and $500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both, plus court costs. Driving on levees carries a fine up to $50, or jail time up to 30 days, or both. Obstruction of justice carries a fine up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to five years with or without hard labor, or both. L.D.W.F. AGENTS CITE DUCK HUNTERS Three Louisiana hunters were cited on Nov. 12, 2007 for multiple federal and state duck violations in a crawfish pond near Henderson. Acting on a complaint, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents allegedly observed Joshua J. Verret, 21, Joshua L. Picard, 19, both of Breaux Bridge and Traye M. Allemond, 20, of Carencro hunting ducks during a closed season. Agents charged Allemond and Picard with resisting an officer, intentional concealment of illegal wildlife, hunting ducks during a closed season, hunting ducks without a federal duck stamp and state license and violating non-toxic shot requirements. Verret was cited for hunting ducks during a closed season, violating non-toxic shot requirements and hunting ducks without a federal duck stamp or state license. If convicted of the federal charges each hunter could face fines of up to $1,500 and up to six months in jail for each offense. Resisting an officer carries a fine of up to $500, or six months in jail or both. Intentional concealment of illegal wildlife carries a fine between $900 and $950, or jail time for up to 120 days, or both and forfeiture of anything seized in connection with the violation. Hunting ducks without a state license carries a fine of $50. Agents seized 32 ducks, and the three suspects are pending total civil restitution charges of $374.40. Agents participating in the case were Sgt. James Rhodes, Senior Agents Donnie Bozeman, Jason Romero and Agent Jason Marks. DEER HUNTER ARRESTED ON WEST BAY W.M.A. FOR ATTEMPTED BRIBERY A New Iberia man was arrested for attempting to bribe a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agent and for deer hunting from a road open to vehicle traffic on Oct. 28 on the West Bay Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Allen Parish. At approximately 10:45 a.m., Senior Agent Ray Thomas observed Makay Mano, 53, discharging a high-powered rifle from a road open to vehicle traffic on the management area. Thomas approached Mano and asked him what he was shooting at, and Mano stated that he shot at a deer but missed. Thomas then advised Mano that he was in violation by hunting from a road open to vehicle traffic and that he was going to receive a citation for the offense. Mano stated that he would offer Thomas money if he could forget about the whole thing. Thomas told Mano that he could not accept any kind of payments and that it is unlawful to bribe an officer for any offense. Thomas asked Mano for his driver’s license to issue the citation. As Mano his opened his wallet he put it in front of Thomas and offered the money that was visible, which turned out to be $120. Thomas placed Mano under arrest for public bribery of a police officer and arranged for his transportation to jail. Agents seized a .270 caliber rifle, a .45 caliber handgun and $120 in cash. The items will be held as evidence pending the outcome of the case. Mano was booked into jail at the Allen Parish Sheriffs Office. The penalties for public bribery are a fine of not more than $1,000, or imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for not more than five years, or both plus court costs. The penalty for not abiding by rules and regulations on a WMA by hunting from a road open to vehicle traffic is a fine of $100 to $350, or up to 60 days in jail, or both plus court costs. Assisting Thomas on the case were Sgt. Keith Aucoin and Senior Agent Steven Vidrine. LINCOLN
PARISH MAN CITED FOR DEER HUNTING VIOLATIONS Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Division agents cited Jason E. Flowers, 33, of Ruston, after they observed him allegedly stop his vehicle at approximately 6:20 p.m. and shoot from the roadway at deer that were standing on a pipeline. As agents approached, they noticed what appeared to be a rifle barrel sticking out of the driver’s side window. Flowers admitted to shooting from the roadway at one of the deer. Agents looked for the deer but deemed that the two shots missed. Flowers was cited for hunting deer from a public road, hunting deer from a moving vehicle and discharging a firearm from a public road. INVESTIGATION LEADS TO SECOND ILLEGAL FISH SALES CITATION A Bogalusa man was cited on Saturday, Nov. 3 for allegedly buying game fish and illegal purchasing of commercial fish at a bar in Bogalusa called "Benny's Wings and Things.” Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited Victor Brumfield, 60, for three counts of buying game fish and one count of purchasing commercial fish from an unlicensed fisherman. Brumfield allegedly purchased over 100 pounds of crappie, a freshwater game fish, and 50 pounds of spotted sea trout. Brumfield is the second man cited in the investigation, which centered on reported illegal activity at the bar. The case was investigated by the Enforcement Division's undercover section. If convicted, Brumfield faces for each count a fine between $350 and $500, and imprisonment for thirty days. The bar’s owner, Benny McGehee, 61, also of Bogalusa was cited on Oct. 19 for allegedly buying illegal fish and deer meat. Agents participating in the case were Senior Agents Lee Davis, Joel Cromp and undercover agents of the LDWF Enforcement Division Covert Section. AGENTS MAKE FELONY ARRESTS FOR ILLEGAL WEAPON Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents arrested John G. Slaughter, 34, of Jonesboro, and Jeremy K. Guilliams, 30, of Castor, for alleged weapons violations on the night of Oct. 23. Lt. Richie McCarthy received an anonymous call to his residence around 8 p.m. in reference to a gunshot off Carr road and quickly responded. Lt. McCarthy was able to locate the suspected vehicle occupied by Slaughter and Guilliams where he allegedly found them to be in possession of a pistol-grip 12-gauge shotgun fitted with a barrel measuring 13 3/16 inches, with an overall length of 23 1/4 inches. Sgt. Charles Dison then arrived on the scene to assist with questioning the men, where Slaughter allegedly admitted to owning the gun and Guilliams allegedly told the agents that he had fired the gun from the road that night. Agents later located a spent 12 gauge shot shell at the location of the complaint, but were unable to find any evidence that any wildlife had been taken. A background check revealed that Guilliams has just been paroled in September of this year for a felony conviction. Both men were booked into the Bienville Parish jail for possession of an illegal weapon. State law requires a shotgun to have a barrel of a minimum of 16 inches in length, with an overall minimum length of 26 inches. Guilliams was also booked for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and for discharging a firearm from a public road. Possession of an illegal weapon is punishable by a fine of $500 to $2000 and imprisonment with or without hard labor for 1-5 years. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is punishable by imprisonment at hard labor for 10 to 15 years without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence and a fine of $1000 to $5000. Discharging a firearm from a public road is punishable by a fine of $50, or jail not more than 30 days or both AGENT NABS HUNTER WITH MODERN FIREARM DURING MUZZLELOADER SEASON A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agent cited Wiley C. Cole II, 38, of Coushatta on Oct. 22 for allegedly hunting deer with an illegal method in Desoto Parish. Sgt. Troy Parker observed Cole exiting a wooded area off Mundy Road where he was found to be unarmed. After a brief interview, Cole allegedly confessed to shooting a doe deer with a 7 mm magnum rifle. The agent located the rifle in the deer stand Cole had been using and located the deer approximately 75 yards down a pipeline. Cole was cited for hunting deer using an illegal method and for failing to wear hunter orange. The rifle was seized as evidence and the deer was seized and donated to charity. Hunting deer using an illegal method is punishable by a fine of $250-$500, or jail not more than 90 days, or both plus court cost. Failure to wear hunter orange carries a fine of $50. Cole must also pay restitution to the department for the deer if there is a conviction. PLAQUEMINES PARISH MAN SENTENCED FOR GILLNET VIOLATIONS Webley Luke Bourgeois, 35, of Venice, was sentenced in the 25th Judicial District Court in Plaquemines Parish on Oct. 24 after pleading guilty to using a saltwater gillnet illegally and flight from an officer. District Court Judge William Roe accepted Bourgeois’ plea and sentenced him to pay $950 plus court costs for the illegal use of a saltwater gillnet and $350 plus court costs for flight from an officer. Bourgeois was also ordered to complete two years of probation with no wildlife offenses. In addition, Bourgeois’ commercial set line licenses were forfeited for life and he is forever barred from participating in the commercial fishery for black drum, sheepshead and flounder. Bourgeois was cited after Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents saw him actively retrieving a gillnet in the Scofield Bayou area of Plaquemines Parish on Jan. 5, 2007. As agents approached Bourgeois, he discarded the net and immediately fled the area by boat. A short chase ensued and Bourgeois was apprehended near Venice Marina with the assistance of the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant District Attorney Jerry Lobrano prosecuted the case. Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Adam Young and Senior Agent Villere Reggio. AGENTS MAKE FELONY ARRESTS FOR ILLEGAL WEAPON Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents arrested John G. Slaughter, 34, of Jonesboro, and Jeremy K. Guilliams, 30, of Castor, for alleged weapons violations on the night of Oct. 23. Lt. Richie McCarthy received an anonymous call to his residence around 8 p.m. in reference to a gunshot off Carr road and quickly responded. Lt. McCarthy was able to locate the suspected vehicle occupied by Slaughter and Guilliams where he allegedly found them to be in possession of a pistol-grip 12-gauge shotgun fitted with a barrel measuring 13 3/16 inches, with an overall length of 23 1/4 inches. Sgt. Charles Dison then arrived on the scene to assist with questioning the men, where Slaughter allegedly admitted to owning the gun and Guilliams allegedly told the agents that he had fired the gun from the road that night. Agents later located a spent 12 gauge shot shell at the location of the complaint, but were unable to find any evidence that any wildlife had been taken. A background check revealed that Guilliams has just been paroled in September of this year for a felony conviction. Both men were booked into the Bienville Parish jail for possession of an illegal weapon. State law requires a shotgun to have a barrel of a minimum of 16 inches in length, with an overall minimum length of 26 inches. Guilliams was also booked for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and for discharging a firearm from a public road. Possession of an illegal weapon is punishable by a fine of $500 to $2000 and imprisonment with or without hard labor for 1-5 years. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is punishable by imprisonment at hard labor for 10 to 15 years without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence and a fine of $1000 to $5000. Discharging a firearm from a public road is punishable by a fine of $50, or jail not more than 30 days or both. LINCOLN PARISH FATHER AND SON CITED FOR HUNTING VIOLATIONS Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited a Lincoln Parish father and son for multiple hunting violations on Saturday, Oct. 13. Jeffery D. Hardell, 37, of Ruston, and his 16-year old son were cited after agents discovered the son was using his father’s hunting license. During questioning, Hardell admitted to letting his son borrow his license to squirrel hunt. Agents working on the Jackson Parish Wildlife Management Area (WMA) checked the juvenile as he was squirrel hunting on the WMA in an area that was closed due to a deer hunt for youths and physically challenged hunters. Hardell was cited for allowing another person to use a recreational hunting license. The juvenile was cited for hunting without a basic resident hunting license and not abiding by WMA rules and regulations by hunting squirrels in a closed area. The penalty for allowing another person to use a recreational hunting license is a fine between $250-$500, or jail time up to 90 days or both. The penalty for hunting without a basic resident hunting license is a $50 fine. The penalty for violating WMA rules and regulations is a fine from $100-$350, or jail for not more than 60 days or both Agents participating in the case were Lt. Mike Rockett and Sgt. Duane Taylor. BOGALUSA MAN CITED BY L.D.W.F. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited a Bogalusa man for various alleged offenses including buying deer meat and buying game fish on Friday, Oct. 19. Benny McGehee, 46, was charged with seven counts of buying game fish, five counts of purchasing commercial fish from an unlicensed fisherman and one count of purchasing venison. The transactions took place at McGehee’s bar, “Benny’s Wings and Things” in Bogalusa. McGehee allegedly purchased nearly 200 lbs. of freshwater game fish, over 500 lbs. of saltwater fish and one whitetail deer. This action brings an end to an investigation by the Enforcement Division’s undercover section into reported illegal activity at the bar. If convicted on all charges, McGehee faces up to $6,750 in fines, and jail time for up to 390 days, or both plus court costs. Agents participating in the case were Senior Agents Lee Davis and Joel Cromp and undercover agents from LDWF Headquarters. NEW ORLEANS MAN CITED IN UNDERCOVER STING Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited a New Orleans man at his home in the 9th Ward on Oct. 17 for numerous wildlife and fisheries violations. Francesco Laplaca, 60, was the subject of a yearlong investigation conducted by the department’s undercover section. During the course of the year, undercover agents documented 14 violations which included; two counts of selling fish without a retail seafood dealers license, three counts of failure to maintain records, three counts of selling game fish, one count of selling deer meat, one count of violating red snapper rules and regulations, one count of buying fish without a wholesale/retail dealers license, one count of buying spotted sea trout from an unpermitted fisherman and one count of buying permitted species from an unpermitted fisherman. According to the case agent, Laplaca’s garage was set up like a fish market complete with scales, grocery bags and deep freezers. He advertised the illegal fish and game around the 9th Ward with homemade fliers. Laplaca would also drive his truck in and around New Orleans making deliveries of the illicit game and fish. If convicted on all counts, Laplaca’s fines could be in excess of $8,000 with jail time for 720 days plus all court costs. EIGHTEEN MEN CITED FOR ILLEGAL OYSTER HARVEST IN JEFFERSON PARISH Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited 18 men on Oct. 15 for alleged commercial fishing violations. Telmo Camargo, 41, Jose Morales, 25, Jose Camargo, 21, Augustin Perez, 20, Agustin Jimenez, 28, all from Buras, Louisiana, Edward Ebanks, 39, Adrian Jimenez, 21, Abel Matamorus, 20, Ruben Cruz, 33, Miguel Morales, 34, Irat Corrales, 25, Jose Viera, 42, Rutilo Becerri, 36, Jose Alarcan, 19, Sergio Perez, 38, Trinidad Bocanegra, 52, Leonel Proano, 35, Santiago Martinez, 34, all from Texas were each cited for unlawful taking of oysters from a private lease. Additionally, Edward Ebanks, Augustin Perez, Telmo Camargo and Sergio Perez were also cited for failing to have written permission for the lease they were fishing. Enforcement agents were responding to complaints of oyster theft from private leases in lower Jefferson Parish when they observed the subjects dredging for oysters in the area of Bayou St. Denis. During the vessel inspections, the agents contacted the LDWF Oyster Survey Section and were able to determine that the subjects were removing oysters from three different private leases without permission. The unlawful taking of oysters off a private lease carries a fine up to $950, or imprisonment not more than 120 days, or both plus court costs. Failing to have written permission carries a fine up to $750, or imprisonment not more than 120 days, or both plus court costs. 185 sacks of oysters were seized and returned to the water during the investigation. Agents participating in the case were Cpt. Stephen McManus, Sgt. James Gregoire and Senior Agent Kris Bourgeois.
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