LWAA

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division is seeking leads on a recent act of vandalism on the Rockefeller State Wildlife Refuge (SWR) located in Cameron and Vermilion Parishes.

The Rockefeller SWR employees noticed the new Rockefeller SWR sign had seven bullet holes on Aug. 10. Employees also found that some bullets had gone through the sign striking a dormitory building on the property. This dormitory building houses a high volume of guests year round.

The Rockefeller SWR entrance sign is located off of Hwy. 82 directly in front of the property's headquarters building and was purchased and installed in March of this year.

Anyone with information regarding this act of vandalism on the Rockefeller SWR or any other wildlife crime should call the Louisiana Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-442-2511. Cash rewards up to $1,000 are offered for information leading to the apprehension of vandals associated with this incident. Callers will also remain anonymous.

Two Louisiana Men Cited in Iberville Parish

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited two Louisiana men for alleged fisheries violations on Aug, 2 in Iberville Parish.

Agents cited Abram Allen Barbay, age 19, of Maringouin, and Benjamin Paul Bello, age 20, of Lakeland, for taking over the limit and undersized black bass.

Agents were alerted by a confidential informant that Barbay and Bello were taking a large number of black bass south of Ramah in the levee pitts. After being checked, agents found both men to be in possession of 62 black bass that were all under the 14-inch minimum size limit. The limit on black bass is 10 fish per person.

Barbay and Bello were additionally charged a civil restitution in the amount of $498.20 for replacement value of the bass. The fish were donated to charity.

Agents participating in the case were Senior Agents Jerry Stassi and Marc Adams.

The penalties for taking undersized and over the limit of black bass are fines between $100 and $350, or up to 90 days in jail, or both plus court costs for each offense.

Agents Issue 34 Citations on Rockefeller State Wildlife Refuge

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents have issued 34 citations over the past two weekends on the Rockefeller State Wildlife Refuge (SWR) in Cameron and Vermilion parishes.

These citations include charges for intentional littering, failure to return by-catch immediately to the water, trespassing in restricted areas, failure to abide by no-wake zones and over limit of crabs and shrimp.

The water management control structure known locally as Mud Hole, in that portion of Rockefeller SWR within Cameron Parish, was closed to the public until further notice on July 11 due to litter problems caused by recreational fishermen.

Refuge regulations prohibit littering, which includes not returning bycatch from recreational cast netting to the water. Public use of the site has led to an accumulation of bycatch fish (mostly menhaden) that has created unsanitary conditions and litter along the banks of a water control structure accessible only by boat.

The unsanitary conditions caused by decaying fish prompted the precautionary closure.

“Agents in uniform and plain clothes monitor and patrol these areas on a regularly daily basis. Users who do not return their bycatch immediately to the water can litter an area in a short time," said LDWF Captain Jubal Marceaux of the Lake Charles Office. "We want the public to be aware that if uniform agents are not seen there is still a good chance agents could be at various locations to observe illegal activity specifically littering."

To report littering on Rockefeller SWR or any LDWF property, individuals are encouraged to report violators to Operation Game Thief at 1-800-442-2511.

Agents also want to let the public know that throwing cigarette butts on the refuge grounds and waterways does constitute litter.

Agents participating in the two weekend operation were Capt. Jubal Marceaux, Lts. Remy Broussard and Robert Buatt, Sgts. Todd Laviolette and David Sanford, Senior Agents Beau Robertson, Anthony Verret, Buddy Murray, Justin Sonnier, Justin Lowry, Cody Soileau, Charles Talbert and Ronnie Englehart.

LDWF Investigating Pair of Weekend Boating Incidents in Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents are investigating two separate boating crash incidents that took place on July 24 in Cameron and Calcasieu parishes.

Agents are investigating a collision between two personal watercrafts (PWC) in the Hebert Landing area of Calcasieu Lake in Cameron Parish on Sunday, July 24. The PWCs were operated by a male and a female both 14 years old.

One of the operator’s parents was returning from a fishing trip and spotted the two PWCs drifting near the landing. The parents retrieved the two juveniles from the water and transported them to a Lake Charles area hospital. One of the subjects was treated for soft tissue injuries to the left knee and ankle. The other was being scheduled for oral surgery as a result of the collision.

Both juvenile operators were wearing their personal flotation device and kill switches were used to shut off the PWCs. State boating regulations state that operators of PWCs must be at least 16 years of age.

The second boating crash incident involved a vessel on the West Fork of the Calcasieu River in Calcasieu Parish. Duston Istre, 26, of Sulphur, was operating the vessel at a high rate of speed before losing control and striking a tree.

Istre and his passenger, Michael Fontenot, 18, also of Sulphur, were transported by ambulance to West Cal-Cam Hospital in Sulphur. Istre suffered severe blunt force trauma to his torso and lower extremities. Fontenot suffered a severe laceration to his temporal region as well as various other abrasions.

LDWF agents have charges pending against Istre for reckless operation of a watercraft, operating a watercraft under the influence and vehicular negligent injuring.

LDWF Capt. Jubal Marceaux, Lt. Remy Broussard and Senior Agent Stuart Guillory are investigating the incidents.

LDWF Recovers Body of Missing Boater from the Mississippi River

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents recovered the body of Joshua Peters, 27, of Livingston, around 8 a.m. on July 25 from the Mississippi River.

Joshua Peters' body was found just upriver of Ben Hur road south of Baton Rouge in East Baton Rouge Parish. The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office recovered the body of Joshua's uncle, Larry Peters, 58, of Slaughter, on Sunday, July 24 in the Donaldsonville area.

Larry and Joshua Peters launched a 14-foot flat bottom boat from under the I-10 Bridge in Baton Rouge on Saturday, July 23 to go fishing. According to the family of the deceased boaters, neither of the Peters was heard from Saturday evening or Sunday morning.

The U.S. Coast Guard, and East Baton Rouge and Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Offices were also involved with the search. The search area went from Baton Rouge to the Sunshine Bridge on the Mississippi River.

Joshua's body was turned over to the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner's Office. Larry's body was turned over to the Ascension Parish Coroner's Office. An autopsy will be performed on both bodies to determine a cause of death.

LDWF will be the lead investigative agency for this boating incident. Both bodies were recovered without wearing a personal flotation device. LDWF will continue to search for the missing boat.

Rescue Agencies Searching for Missing Boater in Mississippi River

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), U.S. Coast Guard, and East Baton Rouge and Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Offices are currently looking for a Livingston man in or near the Mississippi River between the Donaldsonville area and Baton Rouge.

Authorities were alerted by river workers on a tug boat Sunday morning, July 24, of a man floating in the middle of the river in the Donaldsonville area. The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office recovered the body of Larry Peters, 58, of Slaughter, and turned his body over to the Ascension Parish Coroner’s Office.

After investigating the matter further, authorities were able to determine that Peters and his nephew, Joshua Peters, late 20s, from Livingston, launched a 14 foot bateau under the I-10 Bridge in Baton Rouge on Saturday, July 23, to go fishing. Joshua Peters remains missing at this time.

According to the family of the deceased and missing boaters, neither of the subjects have been heard of since leaving to go fishing on Saturday.

Rescue crews will search until nightfall tonight and start up again at daybreak in the morning if they don’t locate the missing boater this evening.

Shreveport Native’s Body Found in Red River

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents are investigating a boating crash incident that left one person injured and another deceased in the Red River in Bossier Parish on July 19.

Kimberly Webb, 48, of Shreveport, was found about 9 a.m. on July 19 in the Red River, and he was pronounced dead on the scene by the Bossier Parish Coroner’s Office. Teresa Revia, 51, of Shreveport, was taken to the hospital with major injuries.

Webb and Revia launched a 15 foot boat from the Teague Parkway boat launch around midnight to go fishing with Webb as the operator of the boat. After they finished fishing, they were returning to the launch when they possibly struck an object in the river throwing Webb from the boat. Revia stayed in the un-operated boat until it collided with the east bank of the river causing it to run aground.

LDWF is the lead investigating agency to determine the official cause of the incident. LDWF believes at this time that Webb and Revia were wearing life jackets and alcohol use is not suspected.

Morgan City Man Cited for Red Snapper Violations

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited a Morgan City man for alleged fishing violations in Terrebonne Parish on July 16.

Agents cited Sau Van Nguyen, 53 years old, of Morgan City, for taking over the limit of red snapper, taking undersized red snapper and fishing without basic and saltwater fishing licenses.

Agents received a complaint that a male subject had loaded a vehicle with several red snapper and was traveling from south Terrebonne Parish to Morgan City.

Agents setup at several different popular traveled routes and were waiting for the vehicle. Agents observed a vehicle matching the description traveling on Highway 20.

Agents conducted a traffic stop and observed several wax fish boxes in the rear of the vehicle. After Nguyen consented to a search of his vehicle, agents found 28 red snappers, eight of which were under the 16 inch minimum size requirement by law, approximately 10 pounds of red snapper fillets and two cobia.

Taking over the limit of red snapper brings a $250 to $500 fine, up to 90 days in jail, or both plus court costs. Taking undersized red snapper brings a $250 to $500 fine, up to 90 days in jail, or both plus court costs. Angling without basic and saltwater fishing licenses carries a maximum fine of $250 for each offense.

Agents participating in the case were Lt. Joseph Arnaud, Senior Agents Nick Guillory, Tyler Marroy, Joey Thompson and Agent Chuck Talbert.

Body of 12 Year Old Girl Found

Search and rescue teams have located the body of the 12-year-old Mandeville girl who has been missing since being ejected into the water after a boating crash incident in Shell Beach Bayou in St. Bernard Parish on July 16.

The search and rescue teams found the body of Samantha Vinturella shortly after 11 a.m. in Lake Borgne about 5 to 6 miles from the original boating crash incident site.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division (LDWF) agents responded to a two vessel collision between a 20 foot boat operated by Marion Funchess, 61, of Folsom, and a 15 foot boat operated by Paul Battle, age 48, of Mandevile, on the evening of July 16 in the Shell Beach Bayou. Battle had four juvenile passengers on board including the missing 12 year old girl. Funchess had an adult passenger on board his boat.

All four juveniles were ejected from the 15 foot boat operated by Battle with three of them able to be recovered from the water. Battle was not ejected from the boat, but was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Funchess and his passenger did not receive any major injuries.

LDWF, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana State Police, St. Bernard, St. Tammany and Plaquemines parishes Sheriff’s Offices have been searching since July 16 for Vinturella.

According to LDWF Enforcement Division Col. Winton Vidrine, LDWF will be the lead investigating agency for this boating crash incident to determine a cause of the collision and death. Vinturella was not wearing a personal flotation device when the boating crash incident occurred and her body will be turned over to the St. Tammany Coroner’s Office.

Dulac Resident Cited for Skimming During Closed Shrimp Season

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited a Dulac man for alleged shrimping violations on July 7 in Terrebonne Parish.

Chancing Paul Rodgers, 28, was cited for using skimmers during a closed shrimp season and improper running lights after agents observed him skimming for shrimp near Lake Boudreaux.

Agents observed the vessel travel into a pipeline on the north side of the lake and watched the operator drop his two nets into the water to skim for shrimp. Agents also observed Rodgers shining the water with a spotlight looking for shrimp.

The penalty for skimming for shrimp during a closed season is a fine between $400 and $950, or imprisonment for up to 120 days or both. The penalty for improper running lights is a fine of $50, or imprisonment for up to 15 days, or both.

Agents involved in the case were Senior Agents Dean Aucoin and Stephen Rhodes.

Search Continues for Missing 12 Year Old Girl

Several agencies including Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents are continuing to search for a missing 12 year old girl in Shell Beach Bayou in St. Bernard Parish after she was involved in a boating crash incident on July 16.

LDWF agents responded to a two vessel collision between a 20 foot boat operated by Marion Funchess, 61, of Folsom, and a 15 foot boat operated by Paul Battle, age 48, of Mandevile, on the evening of July 16 in the Shell Beach Bayou. Battle had four juvenile passengers on board including the missing 12 year old girl. Funchess had an adult passenger on board his boat.

LDWF, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, St. Bernard, St. Tammany and Plaquemines parishes Sheriff’s Offices searched through the night and all day today for the missing girl. The search agencies will continue to search until nightfall tonight and resume the search at first light in the morning.

LDWF will be the lead investigating agency for this boating crash incident. The missing girl was not wearing a personal flotation device when the boating crash incident occurred.

Two Metairie Men and a Juvenile Charged with Alligator Violations

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited two Louisiana men and a juvenile for alleged alligator violations in St. John Parish on July 13.

Agents cited Justin J. Pichon, 19, Jeffrey T. Hodgson, 19, and a juvenile, all of Metairie, for taking an alligator during a closed season and without alligator licenses.

Agents observed the two men and the juvenile on Shell Bank Bayou north of LaPlace load a gray looking tote into the back of their truck. Agents then stopped the truck on Hwy. 51 where they found blood and chicken parts in the back of the truck. The three subjects then admitted to the agents that they shot a 6-foot alligator after catching it on a hook and line and putting it in the gray tote.

The season for alligators varies, but normally runs the month of September. In order to take alligators legally, an LDWF alligator license must be obtained with the LDWF issued alligator tags for a specified area.

Taking an alligator during a closed season brings a $400 to $950 fine, up to 120 days in jail, or both plus court costs. Hunting an alligator without a license brings a $250 to $500 fine, up to 90 days in jail, or both plus court costs. The three subjects also face a civil restitution charge for the value of the alligator up to $375.80.

Agents seized the alligator, boat and truck used in connection with the violations. Agents involved in the case were Sgt. Davis Madere and Senior Agent William Boyd.

Palo Alto Rod and Gun Club and Three Donaldsonville Men Assessed $34,810 in Fines for Migratory Game Bird Violations

The Palo Alto Rod and Gun Club and three Donaldsonville men pled guilty to Migratory Bird Treaty Act violations on June 24 in Federal Middle District Court in Baton Rouge. U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen C. Riedlinger ordered the Palo Alto Rod and Gun Club and the three men to pay a total of $34,810 in fines and assessments for the violations.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited the Palo Alto Rod and Gun Club located near Donaldsonville in September of 2007 for baiting a dove field to attract mourning doves for paid hunts. Agents also cited Robert Lemann Sr., 62, Robert Lemann Jr., 38, Kenneth Gomez, 62, and Wayne Gomez, 60, for baiting a dove field.

The Palo Alto Rod and Gun Club was ordered to pay a $25,300 fine and $350 in assessments. The club was also placed on probation for two years in which they will not be allowed to provide any paid dove hunts. Lemann Sr. represented the Palo Alto Rod and Gun Club and accepted their penalties.

Lemann Jr. was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and $70 in assessments. Kenneth Gomez was fined $3,000 plus $70 in assessments. Wayne Gomez was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and $20 in assessments. All three men were also placed on one year of probation with the stipulation that they cannot provide any paid dove hunts.

LDWF Agents began investigating the Palo Alto Rod and Gun Club in August of 2007 after receiving a public complaint. Agents setup surveillance on the club and observed dove fields that were baited with wheat seeds in an effort to attract mourning doves.

All four men are either employed or connected to the Palo Alto Rod and Gun Club.

Agents participating in the case were Lt. Dennis Bueche, Sgt. Will Roberts, Sgt. Randy Lanoux, Sgt. Todd Lewis, Senior Agent Chad Menzina and Senior Agent Hal Bridges. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents also assisted in the case.

Bogalusa Man Cited for Illegal Alligator Possession

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents issued a citation to a Bogalusa man for alleged illegal possession of an alligator on July 12.

Kevin Freeman, 40, was cited for illegally possessing an alligator during a closed season when agents found a 10 1/2 foot alligator on his property.

Freeman allegedly found a dead alligator on the banks of the Pearl River just north of Bogalusa in Washington Parish on July 12 and transported the alligator back to his residence. The alligator had been caught on a setline and perished on the banks.

Agents are currently investigating this case to determine the identity of the person that originally rigged the setline during a closed alligator season.

Alligators are a protected species and may only be harvested and possessed by a licensed alligator hunter with valid alligator tags during an open season.

Illegal possession of an alligator during a closed season brings a $400 to $950 fine, and jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court cost and forfeiture of anything seized. Freeman will also be assessed a civil restitution penalty of $375.80 for the value of the alligator.

LDWF agents Lt. Darryl Galloway and Senior Agent Lee Davis participated in the case.

Lacombe Man Cited For Illegally Transporting an Alligator

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division and Causeway Police finished a joint investigation that lead to a Lacombe man being cited for alleged illegal alligator possession and transportation charges on July 8.

Whitney Holloman, 33, was cited for possessing an alligator during a closed season, illegal possession of an alligator and for having an unsecured load after an alligator he was transporting across the Causeway Bridge over Lake Pontchartrain fell out of the back of his truck on June 25.

Causeway Police were notified in the morning on June 25 of a large alligator in the left lane of the south bound side of the bridge about nine miles from the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain.

Sgt. Mike Kelley of the Causeway Police was able to capture the injured gator and transport it to the south side of the bridge where Jefferson Parish nuisance alligator hunters took possession of the alligator and attempted relocation. However, the alligator sustained mortal injuries, which were the result of falling from a moving vehicle and was later euthanized.

LDWF Senior Agent Austin Arteaga and Sgt. Mike Kelly reviewed footage from the Causeway Bridge and were able to identify the vehicle suspected of having the alligator. The officers made contact with Holloman, who admitted during questioning to transporting the alligator across the Causeway Bridge in an attempt to relocate it from a Bayou Lacombe swimming hole.

The penalty for each alligator charge is a fine between $400 and $950, and jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court cost and forfeiture of anything seized. The penalty for having an unsecured load on the Causeway Bridge is a non-moving violation to be set by the court. Holloman will also be assessed a civil penalty for the value of the alligator.

Officers participating in the case were LDWF Senior Agents Austin Arteaga, Joel Crump and Keith Francis, and Causeway police officer Sgt. Mike Kelley.

New Orleans "Street Act" Found Guilty On All Charges In Orleans Parish Court

A man and a woman were found guilty in Orleans Parish Court for cruelty to animals and not having the proper permit to possess a non-human primate on July 7.

Joan Susanne Newberger (aka Joan S. Poole), 64, of Rio Hondo, Texas, and James Wells Poole, 62, of St. Augustine, Fla, had four monkeys confiscated on Bourbon Street in New Orleans by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents.

LDWF agents observed the two subjects performing their "street act" with the monkeys dressed in pirate costumes and touching the public. Agents issued two citations to the subjects on Feb. 26, 2011 for cruelty to animals and failing to have the correct permits to possess a non-human primate. LDWF agents also apprehended the monkeys at that time.

The Honorable Judge Sean Early waived any fines and ordered Newberger and Poole to forfeit the monkeys to the state. The monkeys will be donated to the Louisiana Purchase Zoo and Gardens in Monroe where they have been living since being confiscated.

During the course of the LDWF investigation, evidence of numerous violations, citations and complaints to police in at least three states regarding alleged illegal animal possession, animal sales and cruel treatment of animals was discovered. The investigation discovered a history of disregard for both federal and state permitting and license regulations. The investigation also showed a willing intent to profit from the exhibition of primates with disregard for public health and safety due to alleged monkey biting incidents found in official police reports.

The LDWF Enforcement Division would like to recognize the valuable assistance of Putnam and Columbia County Sheriff’s Offices in Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the United States Department of Agriculture Investigators whom all provided evidence and displayed a vested interest in the just adjudication of these violators. LDWF would also like to recognize the full cooperation of the director and staff of the Louisiana Purchase Zoo and Gardens in Monroe.

The office of District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro prosecuted the case and included lead attorney Bernard J. Blair II, J. Bryant Clark, Naomi Jones and Mark Burton.

Agents involved in the case included Captain Steve McManus and Senior Agents Tim Fox and Jason Gernados. LDWF Large Carnivore Program Manager Maria Davidson also provided assistance in the case.

LDWF AGENT AWARDED BOATING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD

The National Association of Safe Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) awarded their Louisiana Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division's Senior Agent Toby Meyers.

Meyers received the award on July 7 at the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission meeting in Baton Rouge.

Meyers, of Shreveport, joined LDWF in 2003 and mainly patrols the waterways in Caddo, Bossier and Desoto parishes.

"Senior Agent Meyers takes pride in what he does and portrays a positive example of what an enforcement agent should be," said Lt. Col. Jeff Mayne, LDWF's State Boating Law Administrator. "This award is well deserved and reflects Senior Agent Meyer's dedication to safe boating and waterway enforcement."

Meyers is a graduate of the marine patrol officers course, NASBLA’s boating under the influence course and is certified in swift water rescue. Meyers uses his training and experience to patrol the waterways, investigate boat thefts, determine causes of accidents and enforcing the boating laws. Meyers is also one of LDWF's boater education instructors.

Agents Still Seeking Leads into Bald Eagle Killings in Plaquemines Parish

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Office of Law Enforcement special agents continue to seek information regarding the killing of two federally protected bald eagles.

Agents believe both eagles were killed on or about Dec. 7, 2010 on the East Bank area of Plaquemines Parish.

A deputy from Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's Office discovered the first illegally killed bald eagle along the Mississippi River levee near the town of Phoenix located in Plaquemines Parish. LDWF Senior Agent Brett Nabors responded to the scene and initiated an investigation.

During the investigation LDWF agents found a second dead bald eagle. Agents believe that both eagles were killed in the same area using the same method. Both bald eagles were delivered to the USFWS and have been forensically tested for cause of death.

The bald eagle is protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Anyone providing information leading to the arrest and conviction of the guilty party is eligible for significant cash rewards up to $3,500.

Anyone with information may call Special Agent Stephen Clark at the USFWS office in Lacombe at 985-882-3756 or the LDWF Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-800-442-2511.

For more information, contact Capt. Steve McManus at the LDWF Region 8 Enforcement Office at 504-284-2024 or smcmanus@wlf.la.govv.