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JULY 2004 NEWS |
CAPTAIN JUBAL MARCEAUX TO COMMAND ENFORCEMENT REGION V
CAPTAIN SAMMY MARTIN TO COMMAND ENFORCEMENT REGION IX
ST. MARY FISHERMEN ARRESTED FOR CRAB THEFT CHALMETTE MAN SENTENCED FOR DUCK HUNTING VIOLATIONS THREE TEXANS CITED FOR RED SNAPPER VIOLATIONS
BASS FISHERMEN BUSTED ON BODCAU W.M.A.
CLOSED SEASON SQUIRREL HUNTER CITED
MAN CITED FOR DUMPING TRASH ON W.M.A.
JOYRIDE TURNS SOUR FOR BOSSIER PARISH MEN
COMMISSION PROPOSES PERMANENT RULE CHANGE FOR THE COMMERCIAL
HARVEST OF SPOTTED SEATROUT
L.D.W.F. LITTERING CITATIONS FOR MONTH OF JUNE
2004 LOUISIANA FALL SHRIMP SEASON OPENS IN ZONE 2
THIBODAUX MAN ARRESTED FOR BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
LAKE MECHANT SEED GROUND COMPLAINTS RESULT IN 12 VIOLATIONS
HOUMA MAN CITED FOR CLOSED SEASON SHRIMPING
MORGAN CITY BOATER ARRESTED FOR DWI
THIBODAUX MAN CITED FOR ILLEGAL COMMERCIAL FISHING
DES ALLEMANDS FISHERMEN CITED FOR UNDERSIZED CATFISH
THOUSANDS OF POUNDS OF CRABS ILLEGALLY PURCHASED AND UNREPORTED
BOATERS CITED FOR CARELESS OPERATION ON FALSE RIVER
MAN CONVICTED FOR DAMAGING LEVEE
L.D.W.F. BUST SHRIMP SCAM
PAIR RESCUED FROM HENDERSON BAY
IOTA MAN CITED FOR DAMAGING FOOD PLOT ON SHERBURNE W.M.A.
SHRIMPERS PLACED ON PROBATION FOR RECORDS VIOLATIONS
RED SNAPPER SMUGGLING DISCOVERED
BOATER CITED FOR CARELESS OPERATION ON OUACHITA RIVER
NEW LAW TO PROHIBIT THE FEEDING OF BEARS
TWO MEN CITED FOR BLACK DRUM VIOLATIONS
AMELIA WOMAN CITED FOR POSSESSING LIVE ALLIGATOR DULAC MAN CITED FOR ILLEGAL ALLIGATOR AVOYELLES PARISH MEN SENTENCED IN NIGHT HUNTING CASE RAPIDES PARISH MEN SENTENCED FOR GAME FISH VIOLATIONS COMMISSION RATIFIES HUNTING SEASON DATES AND REGULATIONS
L.W.F.C.
PLACES MORATORIUM ON COMMERCIAL TAKE OF ALLIGATOR COMMISSION SETS ALLIGATOR AND TRAPPING SEASONS CAPTAIN JUBAL MARCEAUX TO COMMAND ENFORCEMENT REGION V
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Dwight Landreneau
and Enforcement Division Administrator Colonel Winton Vidrine have announced
the promotion of Lt. Jubal Marceaux to the rank of captain. Marceaux will
supervise LDWF Enforcement Division's Region V, covering the parishes of
Allen, Beauregard, Evangeline, Calcasieu, Cameron, Acadia, Vermilion and
Jefferson Davis.
Marceaux is a 13-year veteran of the Enforcement Division and had previously
served as the supervisor of the Refuge Patrol Section, covering Marsh
Island, Rockefeller and State Wildlife Refuges. He studied criminal justice
at the University of Southwestern Louisiana before joining the Enforcement
Division in 1991. After graduating from the Law Enforcement Training Academy
in February of 1992, Marceaux served on the division's State Strike Force
before assuming command of Refuge Patrol. He is a graduate of several
boating enforcement and supervisory training courses. He replaces Capt.
Malcolm Hebert as the region supervisor. Hebert retired in March of this year.
"Capt. Marceaux is a very dedicated and highly professional officer," Col.
Vidrine said. "The supervisory skills he has demonstrated with Refuge Patrol
give me every confidence he will do an outstanding job in Region V."
Newly appointed Capt. Marceaux resides in Abbeville with his wife Alison and
daughters Mckenzie, 11 and Lindsay, 4. He enjoys golf, hunting and fishing.
CAPTAIN SAMMY MARTIN TO COMMAND ENFORCEMENT REGION IX
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Dwight Landreneau
and Enforcement Division Administrator Colonel Winton Vidrine have announced
the promotion of Lt. Sammy Martin to the rank of captain. Martin will
supervise LDWF Enforcement Division's Region IX, covering the parishes of
Assumption, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, Terrebonne, Lafourche, lower St.
Martin and the Grand Isle portion of Jefferson.
Martin is a 22-year veteran of the Enforcement Division and had previously
served as the district supervisor for Terrebonne, Lafourche and the Grand
Isle area for seven years. He is a graduate of numerous boating courses
including Marine Theft Investigation, Accident Reconstruction and Analysis,
Maritime Law Enforcement and the National Boating Safety Course, as well as
several supervisory training courses. He replaces Capt. Joe Matassa as the
region supervisor. Matassa retired in April of this year.
"With Captain Martin's training and experience, I have every confidence he
will be an excellent region supervisor," said Col. Vidrine. "We can expect a
smooth transition and continued effective, professional wildlife law
enforcement in Region IX."
Newly appointed Captain Martin and his wife Tina have been married for 17
years and have two sons, Blake, 14 and Alex, 11. He enjoys hunting and
fishing.
ST. MARY FISHERMEN ARRESTED FOR CRAB THEFT
On July 17th, two St. Mary Parish men were arrested by a Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agent and booked
into the St. Mary Parish Jail for allegedly stealing crabs from another
fisherman's crab traps in the Atchafalaya River.
Jordan Absher, 22, of Patterson, and Nathan Corley, 24 of Morgan City were
spotted raising three crab traps and removing and keeping the contents.
Upon contact, the agent discovered that the traps in question belonged to
another fisherman.
Both Absher and Corley were booked with unlawful removal of crab trap
contents and violating recreational gear requirements. Approximately four
and one-half dozen crabs were seized and returned to the water.
The penalty for illegal removal of crab trap contents is a fine of up to
$750, jail for not more than 90 days, or both, plus court costs. The penalty
for violating recreational gear requirements is a fine of $50, or jail for
not more than 15 days.
The agent involved in this case was Agent Jason Romero.
CHALMETTE MAN SENTENCED FOR DUCK HUNTING VIOLATIONS
On July 20, Troy L. Caron, 31, of Chalmette, appeared before U.S. Magistrate
Louis Moore in U.S. Magistrate Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
in New Orleans and entered a plea of guilty to violating the Migratory Bird
Treaty Act. Caron was cited on January 17, after agents from the Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries documented Caron violating the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act by placing bait for the purpose of hunting
migratory game birds, hunting ducks over bait, taking over the limit of
snipe, and wanton waste of migratory game birds.
Magistrate Moore accepted the guilty plea and sentenced Caron to pay a fine
of $850, plus a $45 special assessment fee. Caron was placed on active
probation for one year. As conditions of his probation, Caron's migratory
bird hunting privileges were revoked for one year and he was ordered to view
a video presentation on the harmful effects of poaching on waterfowl.
The case was the result of a joint operation initiated when state and
federal agents spotted a baited pond while conducting an aerial surveillance
for waterfowl in St. Bernard Parish. Subsequently, the baited pond was
documented and Caron was apprehended and cited.
Agents participating in the investigation from LDWF were Senior Agents Mike
Garrity, Roy Pier, and Gary Pierce. Agents from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service were Stephen Clark and Bill Mellore.
THREE TEXANS CITED FOR RED SNAPPER VIOLATIONS
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
cited three Texas men on June 26th in the Gulf of Mexico for several red
snapper violations. The men were cited near High Island Block 129 off of
Cameron Parish for allegedly possessing over the limit of federally
controlled fish, possessing undersized federally controlled fish, failing to
keep federally controlled fish intact, and angling without non-resident
fishing licenses.
Feliciano B. Barrietos, 28, and Juan C. Diaz, 26, both of Channelview,
Texas, and Agustin S. Gonzales, 35, of Brownsville, Texas, were cited for
allegedly possessing 39 red snapper, all under the minimum size limit. The
three men did not have non-resident angling licenses, and had cleaned a
portion of the 39 red snapper. The minimum recreational size for red
snapper is 15 inches, and the daily limit is four per person. All fish must
be kept with head and caudal fin intact until placed on shore from a vessel.
The charges will be filed through the National Marine Fisheries Service and
the three men will appear in federal court in Lake Charles to answer to
these charges. The fish are being held for evidence at Rockefeller Refuge.
Agents participating in this case were Lieutenant Glenn Angelle, Sergeants
Ivan Vaughn and Edwin Broussard, Senior Agents Aaron Monceaux and Kane
Thomas, and Agent Donnie Leger.
BASS FISHERMEN BUSTED ON BODCAU W.M.A.
Two Webster Parish men, Michael Osborn, 38, of Dubberly, and Joseph Payne,
48, of Minden, were cited by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Enforcement Division agents on July 25 for allegedly taking over the limit
of game fish on Bodcau Bayou.
While checking the two fishermen, the agents found them to be in possession
of 20 black bass near a boat landing on Bodcau Wildlife Management Area near
Cotton Valley. Further searching yielded five additional bass hidden in a
compartment in the boat. The daily limit for black bass on Bodcau Bayou is
10 per person. The fish were seized and donated to charity.
Taking over the limit of game fish is punishable by a fine of up to $350,
jail not more than 60 days, or both, plus court costs.
CLOSED SEASON SQUIRREL HUNTER CITED
Glen M. Barnhill, 52, of Bossier City, was cited on July 21 for allegedly
hunting squirrels in closed season.
Barnhill was reported after he was seen shooting squirrels in a residential
area. Sgt. Roy Schufft of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries Enforcement Division arrived on the scene momentarily and
contacted Barnhill, who produced four squirrels he shot with a .22 caliber
rifle. Barnhill was issued a summons to appear in the 26th Judicial
District Court. The squirrels and rifle were seized as evidence.
Hunting squirrels during a closed season is punishable by a fine of up to
$500, jail for not more than 30 days, or both, plus court costs.
MAN CITED FOR DUMPING TRASH ON W.M.A.
Timothy C. Tynes, 53, of Cotton Valley was cited on July 25 for allegedly
dumping trash on Bodcau Wildlife Management Area.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
found several items leading to Tynes in a large trash pile off Wenk's
Landing Road and later contacted him at his residence and issued the
citation.
Littering is punishable by a fine of up to $500, plus court costs, and four
hours of community service. Agents participating in the case were Lt.
Richie McCarthy, Sgt. Mike Kelley, and Sgt. Kenny Balkom.
JOYRIDE TURNS SOUR FOR BOSSIER PARISH MEN
A Bossier Parish man was cited and another was arrested on July 22 for a
number of alleged violations on Bodcau Wildlife Management Area.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Senior Agent
Jason Clinton stopped the two men in their vehicle on Tram Road in the WMA
and noticed the odor of marijuana. After a search of the vehicle was
conducted, a small bag of what the agents suspected to be marijuana was
found. One of the men identified as Thomas Knowles, 18, of Benton, placed
another small bag inside his mouth and fled, but was soon apprehended and
handcuffed.
The driver of the vehicle, Justin Holt, 18, also of Benton, was cited for
illegal possession of marijuana. Knowles was arrested and taken to the
Bossier Parish Jail where he was booked resisting an officer, illegal
possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to
abide by rules and regulations on a WMA (no self-clearing permit).
Not abiding by rules and regulations on a WMA is punishable by a fine of up
to $350, jail not more than 60 days, or both, plus court costs. Resisting
an officer, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia
each carry a fine of not more than $500, jail for not more than 180 days, or
both, plus court costs.
COMMISSION PROPOSES PERMANENT RULE CHANGE FOR THE COMMERCIAL
HARVEST OF SPOTTED SEATROUT
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission issued a notice of intent at
the July 1 meeting to modify the existing spotted seatrout rule. The intent
is to make permanent the modification of the season for the commercial
harvest of spotted seatrout that was approved under a declaration of
emergency at the November 2003 meeting.
The proposed rule establishes an annual commercial season for spotted
seatrout that begins on January 2 and remains open until sunset on July 31
of each year or until the quota is reached. It prohibits a person from
holding both a charter boat fishing guide license and a spotted seatrout
permit in the same license period and defines allowable commerce activities
regarding spotted seatrout during the closed and open season.
The rule modification was made necessary due to the passage of Act No. 1164
of the 2003 Legislative Regular Session.
Interested persons may submit comments relative to the proposed rule to:
Harry Blanchet, Marine Fisheries Division, Louisiana Department of Wildlife
and Fisheries, P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000, prior to
Thursday, September 3, 2004.
L.D.W.F. LITTERING CITATIONS FOR MONTH OF JUNE
In an effort to maintain the beauty of the Sportsman's Paradise, Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited 39
people throughout the state for alleged littering violations during the
month of June. The names of the alleged violators, towns of residence and
parishes of the alleged violations are listed below.
Johnnie Howard Audleman, 54, of Mooringsport in Caddo Parish;
Jerome Blue, 25, of Lecompte in Rapides Parish;
Eric Tanzy Brown, 29, of Chataignier in Concordia Parish;
Eddie David Bruce Jr., 32, of Alexandria in Rapides Parish;
John Leander Bundrick, 18, of Shreveport in Natchitoches Parish;
Jonathan L. Carroll, 50, of Chalmette in St. Bernard Parish;
Joey L. Clark, 27, of Ville Platte in Concordia Parish;
Patrick Leroy Daigle, 39, of Sulphur in Allen Parish;
Aaron L. Daughtry Jr., 29, of Provencal in Natchitoches Parish;
Jacob Joseph Davis, 18, of Shreveport in Natchitoches Parish;
Markham Allen Dicksin II, 18, of Shreveport in Natchitoches Parish;
Joseph J. Dilorenzo Jr., 49, of Harahan in Livingston Parish;
Jessie L. Droddy, 49, of Glenmora in Allen Parish;
Freddie Dewayne Eastwood, 56, of Oakdale in Allen Parish;
Joseph Daniel Ferguson, 18, of Provencal in Natchitoches Parish;
Brian Alexander Flournoy, 18, of Shreveport in Natchitoches Parish;
William Michael Godeaux, 17, of Eunice in Acadia Parish;
Cody E. Griffith, 25, of Pineville in Concordia Parish;
Wallace Matthew Gritta, 32, of Leesville in Vernon Parish;
Brian Haney, 26, of Vicksburg in Madison Parish;
Randy P. Johnson, 34, of Ville Platte in Concordia Parish;
Dewey Lachney, 69, of Marksville in Avoyelles Parish;
Jay Matthew Lanclos, 21, of Arnaudville in Allen Parish;
Adam Benjamin Lillich, 18, of Shreveport in Natchitoches Parish;
James L. Loveless, 39, of Collinston in Caldwell Parish;
John Allen Morgan, 67, of Lake Charles in Calcasieu Parish;
Terry Moses, 43, of Kelly in Caldwell Parish;
David Lester Moudy, 48, of Elm Grove in Bienville Parish;
Travis Paul Prater, 21, of Mansura in Avoyelles Parish;
Mathew Logan Prine, 24, of Pioneer in West Carroll Parish;
Alden Kevin Prout, 27, of Boothville in Plaquemines Parish;
Roderick J. Roy, 41, of Crowley in Acadia Parish;
Jeffrey Billy Sepulvado, 21, of Zwolle in Sabine Parish;
Phillip P. Stelly, 38, of Opelousas in St. Landry Parish;
Michael Guy Taylor, 52, of Leesville in Allen Parish;
Dustin Todd Thiels, 19, of Woodworth in Rapides Parish;
David L. Turner, 40, of Oakdale in Allen Parish;
Henry Williams, 72, of Kenner in St. John Parish;
and Jackie Ray Williams, 44, of Lecompte in Rapides Parish.
2004 LOUISIANA FALL SHRIMP SEASON OPENS IN ZONE 2
The fall inshore shrimp season will open in Shrimp Management Zone 2 at
official sunrise Monday, August 2, 2004 and close on December 21, 2004 at
official sunset. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approved a
resolution on July 1, which authorized Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries Secretary Dwight Landreneau to open and close the 2004 fall shrimp
season in inside waters provided technical and biological data indicate that
marketable shrimp, in sufficient quantities are available for harvest.
Season dates were approved by Secretary Landreneau based upon
recommendations developed by the Marine Fisheries Division staff.
Zone 2 includes Louisiana's inside waters from the eastern shore of South
Pass of the Mississippi River westward to the western shore of Vermilion Bay
and Southwest Pass at Marsh Island. Season dates for the fall inshore
shrimp season in Zones 1 and 3 will be considered by the Louisiana Wildlife
and Fisheries Commission at its Aug. 5 meeting scheduled for 10:00 am at the
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries building in Baton Rouge.
The commission also authorized the Secretary to change the closing dates of
the 2004 fall shrimp season if biological and technical data indicate the
need to do so or if enforcement problems develop and to close and reopen all
or parts of state outside waters if significant numbers of small white
shrimp are found in these waters.
THIBODAUX MAN ARRESTED FOR BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
Agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement
Division arrested Rory J. Bellanger, 22, of Thibodaux, on July 4, for
allegedly operating a motorboat while intoxicated. He was booked into the
St. Charles Parish Correctional Center.
Agents were patrolling on Lake Salvador in St. Charles Parish when they
stopped Bellanger's vessel to perform a boating safety compliance check.
During the inspection, the agents noticed that Bellanger appeared to be
impaired. After performing poorly on several standardized field sobriety
tests, Bellanger was arrested and cited for driving a vessel while intoxicated.
The penalty for a first conviction of operating a motorboat while
intoxicated is a fine of not more than $1,000 and imprisonment for not more
than six months.
Agents participating in the case were Senior Agent Eddie Skena and Sergeant
Rachel Zechenelly.
LAKE MECHANT SEED GROUND COMPLAINTS RESULT IN 12 VIOLATIONS
On June 14, agents of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Enforcement Division's Oyster Strike Force and Saltwater Enforcement Patrol
Unit cited 12 men for alleged oyster violations in Terrebonne Parish.
In response to numerous complaints of illegal activity in the newly formed
Lake Mechant seed ground, agents arrived before dawn and began watching the
area. They observed four vessels dredging for oysters in the closed seed
grounds. Those on board the boats were identified as Fidel Vega, 42; Tomas
Riva Vega, 19; Beto Delgado, 32; Miguel Macedo, 23; Reynaldo Ortiz, 50; Jose
Felix Cardenas Arredondo, 20; Javier Ramirez Hernandez, 23; Vincente
Cardenas Arredondo, 21; Juvenal Cardenas, 23; and Ramon Vega Mata, 29; all
from Houma; Abel Lara Enriquez, 28, from St. Bernard; and Guadalupe
Rodrigue-Vega, 28, from Houston, Texas.
The subjects were each cited for taking oysters during closed season.
Approximately 15 sacks of oysters were seized in connection with the
violations and returned to the water.
The penalty for taking oysters from a closed public seed ground is a fine of
not more than $350, jail for not more than 60 days, or both.
Agents participating in case were Lt. Stephen McManus, Sgt. Bryan Marie, and
Sr. Agt. Ronnie Granier.
HOUMA MAN CITED FOR CLOSED SEASON SHRIMPING
Dwain Bergeron, 38, of Houma, was cited on July 9 by Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents for allegedly shrimping
during closed season and for operating a vessel without the required navigation lights.
Bergeron was spotted using two 16-foot by 10-foot skimmer nets to catch
shrimp in Bayou De West in Terrebonne Parish. This area lies in Shrimp
Management Zone 2, and was closed to shrimping at 6 a.m. on June 16.
Bergeron was cited for the offense and for operating a boat at night without
navigation lights. Fifty pounds of shrimp and bycatch held in the nets were
returned to the water. The two nets were seized and are being held as evidence.
If convicted of skimming in closed season, Bergeron faces fines of up to
$750, jail for not more than 120 days, or both, plus court costs.
Operating a vessel without running lights carries a fine of $50. If the fine is not
paid, the penalty may result in jail for not more than 15 days.
Agents involved in this case were Sergeant Ross Mire and Agent Jason Romero.
MORGAN CITY BOATER ARRESTED FOR DWI
Enforcement agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
arrested Lawrence A. Brooks, 38, of Morgan City on July 4 for allegedly
operating a vessel while intoxicated and for reckless operation of a watercraft
Agents allegedly saw Brooks drive his vessel past the Avoca Island Ferry
while the ferry was crossing the Intracoastal Waterway. Brooks did not heed
several warning signals from the ferry. The Avoca Island Ferry is a cable
operated ferry with heavy cables just beneath the surface of the water.
Other boat traffic must operate with extreme caution around the ferry. In
addition to the ferry's audible danger signals, warning signs are posted.
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