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L.D.W.F. AGENTS RESCUE MAN IN MISSISSIPPI RIVER
HACKBERRY
BAY OYSTER THEFT
AGENTS ARREST NET FISHERMAN
ROBBERY SUSPECT APPREHENDED ON WESTBAY W.M.A.
WILDLIFE AGENTS RESCUE SOLDIER FROM THE CALCASIEU RIVER
ENFORCEMENT AGENTS RESCUE BOATER FROM LAKE CHARLES
LITTER INVESTIGATION RESULTS IN DUMP SITE CLEAN UP; OTHER LITTERING CASES MADE
LAFAYETTE MAN ARRESTED ON ROCKEFELLER REFUGE
VILLE PLATTE MAN ARRESTED FOR DISTURBING PEACE AT CHICOT
STATE PARK
OFFSHORE PATROLS RESULT IN RED SNAPPER AND RED DRUM
VIOLATIONS
LDWF AGENTS ARREST TWO TERREBONNE BOATERS FOR DWI DURING
HOLIDAY WEEKEND
THREE PEOPLE DIE IN SEPARATE BOATING ACCIDENTS OVER HOLIDAY
WEEKEND
ST. CHARLES MAN ARRESTED FOR FELONY D.W.I.
OFFSHORE PATROLS RESULT IN RECREATIONAL FISHERIES VIOLATIONS
L.D.W.F. AGENTS RESCUE MAN IN MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Three Enforcement Division agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife
and Fisheries rescued a Mississippi man from the Mississippi River on the
afternoon of July 12.
Lt. Rick Owens and Sgts. James Hagan and Darren Bruce were on patrol on the
Mississippi River in East Carroll Parish about 1 p.m., when they observed a
boat belonging to Chris Budwine of Vicksburg, Miss. in the middle of the
river going in circles at a high rate of speed.
Several tugboats in the area had stopped for the boat. The boat collided
with one of the tugboats as the agents approached, and then continued
running in circles at a high rate of speed. It was determined that the boat
was unoccupied.
A short time later, agents found Budwine floating in the river clinging to a
plastic box near the runaway boat. After the runaway boat nearly hit
Budwine, the agents rescued him by pulling him on board their boat. The
runaway boat again collided with another tugboat and partially sank, which
stalled the 115-horsepower engine. The runaway was then secured to one of
the tugs.
Budwine was shaken up, but sustained no serious injuries. He later told
agents that he was not wearing a life jacket or the kill switch when he was
ejected from the boat. The boat sustained substantial damage after
colliding with the two tugboats.
HACKBERRY BAY OYSTER THEFT
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division
agents cited seven men for alleged oyster violations in Terrebonne Parish on
July 27.
Agents assigned to the Oyster Strike Force found two vessels dredging
oysters from a private lease without the lease owner's permission, while on
oyster-growing-area patrol in Hackberry Bay.
The men were identified as Jason John Liner, 21, Alvin Punch Jr., 31, Byron
J. Liner Jr., 26, and Dean Porche Jr., 27, all of Houma and Crispin Sabas
Tellez, 34, of San Leon, Texas, Jorge V. Morales, 24, and Esteban P.
Maldonado, 45, both of Bacliff, Texas.
Agents cited the men for unlawfully taking oysters from a private lease. In
addition, captains Jason John Liner and Tellez were cited for failure to
have written permission.
A total of 65 sacks of oysters were seized. The boats and dredges were
placed under an LDWF seizure order.
The penalty for unlawfully taking oysters from a private lease is a fine
between $900 and $950 or imprisonment up to 120 days, or both, plus court
costs and forfeiture of anything seized in connection with the violation.
Failure to have written permission is punishable by a fine of $400 to $750
or jail time up to 120 days, or both, plus court costs.
Agents participating in case were Sgt. Bryan Marie and Sgt. Ray Champagne.
AGENTS ARREST NET FISHERMAN
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
arrested three men in Lafourche Parish on July 22 following an investigation
into reported gill net violations.
Richard A. Green, 49, and Richard N. Green, 26, of Golden Meadow, along with
Jeffery P. Goff, 42, of Galliano were arrested for allegedly taking black
drum and Florida pompano illegally with a gill net and for violating the
Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission rules and traversing
regulations.
The investigation began after the subjects were stopped by the U. S. Coast
Guard in Bayou Lafourche, near Leeville, for reported boating safety
violations. The Coast Guard then contacted LDWF agents and informed them
they had stopped a commercial vessel with a large quantity of black drum and
pompano on board along with a gill net.
The investigation culminated with the seizure of approximately 1,100 pounds
of black drum, 170 pounds of pompano, a gill net and an 18-foot aluminum
boat. The three men were cited for using a saltwater gill net illegally and
for failure to comply with commission rules and regulations concerning
traversing permits. They were booked into the Lafourche Parish Jail.
Using a saltwater net illegally and violations of commission rules and
traversing regulations are each punishable by fines up to $950 and up to 120
days in jail, or both, plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized.
Agents participating in the case were Lt. Glen Gremillion, Sgt. Mark Benton,
and Agents Carl Pickett & Charles Ferrington.
ROBBERY SUSPECT APPREHENDED ON WESTBAY W.M.A.
Agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement
Division assisted the Allen Parish Sheriff's Office in the pursuit and
apprehension of an armed robbery suspect who fled into the Westbay Wildlife
Management Area (WMA) on July 24.
Jamey Allen Christian, 41, of Oakdale, was arrested and booked into the
Allen Parish Jail on charges of first-degree robbery, simple battery, flight
from an officer, obstruction of justice, possession of crack cocaine and
possession of drug paraphernalia.
A spokesman for the Allen Parish Sheriff's Office said Christian allegedly
demanded money from the clerk at Steve's Westbay Grocery, on La.10 just west
of Oakdale, at around 7 p.m. After the robbery, Christian drove west in a
silver pickup as a deputy pursued the suspect's vehicle, which crashed near
Westbay WMA. Christian then fled onto the WMA, and was subsequently
arrested. He is also a suspect in the Sunday robbery of the Oakwood Inn in
Oakdale.
Agents responding to the call set up a perimeter around the immediate
vicinity where the suspect was seen entering the WMA. A chase team from the
Allen Parish Correctional Facility, which included a tracking dog, arrived
shortly thereafter and established a direction of travel for the suspect.
The chase team entered the WMA and apprehended the suspect a short time
later.
Agents participating in the pursuit and apprehension were Capt. Jubal
Marceaux, Lt. Jesse Savoie, Senior Agents Joseph James and Steve Vidrine and
Agent Wendel Vaughn.
WILDLIFE AGENTS RESCUE
SOLDIER FROM THE CALCASIEU RIVER
Agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement
Division rescued a 36-year-old military serviceman from the Calcasieu River
on July 21st.
Willie Charles Gros Jr., of Sulphur, who is serving in the U.S. Army in
Kuwait and currently on a two-week furlough, was tube floating with his
friend, Charles Fuselier, from Lake Charles. They got separated from each
other, and Fuselier made it to the stopping point ahead of Gros. After
Fuselier waited several hours for Gros to arrive, he called the Allen Parish
Sheriff's Office to report Gros missing.
At 9 p.m. the sheriff's office contacted Senior Agent Joey James to request
assistance with the search and rescue effort. James and Senior Agent Steven
Vidrine responded and conducted a search of the river by boat during a
severe thunderstorm.
Because the storm was in full force, visibility was poor due to darkness,
high wind, frequent lightning and heavy rain. The agents searched the
riverbanks with a spotlight and located Gros at 1:30 a.m. He was found
under a willow tree, which afforded little protection from the elements. No
medical attention was required and Gros was returned to a camp owned by
Charles Fuselier.
ENFORCEMENT AGENTS RESCUE BOATER FROM LAKE CHARLES
Louisiana Department of Wildlife And Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
rescued a Lake Charles man after his sailboat capsized on July 2 in Lake
Charles.
Hector Ponton, 69, of Lake Charles was sailing on Lake Charles Lake in his
12-foot sailboat when a severe storm cell producing strong winds, heavy
rain, rough seas and dangerous lightning caused his vessel to capsize. He
was ejected into the water and was found clinging to the keel of the
overturned sailboat. Agents helped him onto their patrol vessel and
transported him to safe harbor until the storm diminished, then went back
out and recovered his vessel.
Ponton, a retired U.S. Army colonel and an experienced sailor, commended the
agents on their quick response time and their professional demeanor and
seamanship skills in handling the incident.
Agents participating in the rescue were Sgt. David Liles and Cadet Justin
Sonnier.
LITTER INVESTIGATION RESULTS IN DUMP SITE CLEAN UP;
OTHER LITTERING CASES MADE
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
cited two individuals in Allen Parish and one individual in Evangeline
Parish for alleged intentional and gross littering.
Kerry Don Broussard, 52, of Oberlin was cited for gross littering on July 1
after agents investigated a dumpsite in Allen Parish. The site, near Old
Pump Road close to Kinder, consisted of a sofa, a dresser and several black
bags in a ditch. Upon further investigation, mail was discovered on the
dumpsite that led to Broussard. He allegedly admitted to dumping the trash,
and cleaned up the dumpsite later that day.
Keith Doucet, 31, of Sulphur was cited for intentional littering on July 2.
Agents allegedly saw him throw a beer can into a ditch from a vehicle in
Allen Parish.
On July 4 in Evangeline Parish, Christopher Deon Freeman, 22, of Opelousas
was cited for intentional littering when he allegedly discarded a beer
bottle by a telephone pole.
The penalty for littering is a fine between $500 and $1,000 and eight hours
of community service in a litter abatement work program as approved by the
court. The judge may also require convicted individuals to remove litter
from state highways, public rights of way, public playgrounds, public parks
or other appropriate locations.
Agents participating in the cases were Senior Agents Keith Aucoin and Steve
Vidrine.
LAFAYETTE MAN ARRESTED ON ROCKEFELLER REFUGE
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
arrested a Lafayette man for second offense driving while intoxicated,
reckless operation of a motor vehicle and simple battery on July 24.
Agents patrolling Rockefeller Refuge observed Milton Alex Jr., 43, operating
his vehicle in a reckless manner and revealed that he was driving while
impaired. Alex's wife, who was a passenger in the car, had facial injuries
and claimed that Alex had struck her in the face. Alex was transported by
the Cameron Parish Sheriff's Office and booked into the Cameron Parish jail.
Alex does have an extensive criminal history.
The penalty for second offense DWI is a fine between $750 and $1,000 and
imprisonment between 30 days and six months. The maximum penalties for
reckless operation are a fine of $200 or imprisonment for 90 days, or both.
The penalty for simple battery domestic is a fine up to $500 or up to six
months of jail time, or both.
The agent making the arrest was Senior Agent Ray Thomas, assisted by Cameron
Parish Sheriff's Deputy Caesar Swire.
VILLE PLATTE MAN ARRESTED FOR DISTURBING PEACE AT
CHICOT STATE PARK
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
arrested a Ville Platte man for disturbing the peace, battery on a police
officer and resisting an officer at Chicot State Park on July 4.
Ray Jay Bellard, 39, of Ville Platte was arrested and booked into the
Evangeline Parish Jail after agents, who were patrolling the park, saw
Bellard allegedly disturbing the peace by using profanity and trying to
provoke a fight. Bellard was asked to leave the area, but refused. As
agents approached Bellard, he assumed an aggressive posture and shoved one
of the agents. Bellard was restrained and placed under arrest.
Disturbing the peace carries maximum penalties of $100 or imprisonment for
90 days, or both. Battery on a police officer is punishable by a fine up to
$1000 or imprisonment with or without hard labor for one to five years, or
both. Resisting an officer has a fine up to $500 or imprisonment up to six
months, or both.
Senior Agents Scott Fontenot and Steven Vidrine participated in the arrest.
OFFSHORE PATROLS RESULT IN RED SNAPPER AND RED DRUM
VIOLATIONS
Agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF)
Enforcement Division cited five people for violating red snapper regulations
and possessing red drum in federal waters on July 19.
Agents cited Tuyen V. Nguyen, 35, and Danny T.Nguyen, 37, both of New
Orleans; and Quang T. Bui, 30, of Avondale, Alex Cuong Nguyen, 31, of
Harvey, and Ho Van Le, 34, of Houma for allegedly possessing more than the
recreational limit of red snapper, having undersized red snapper and
possessing red drum in the prohibited Federal Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Agents inspected the five people while they were recreationally fishing near
an oil platform and found them in possession of 47 red snapper, of which 39
were under the minimum length of 16 inches. They also had six red drum over
27 inches in length, of which only one red drum in a legal daily limit of
five may exceed 27 inches in length. The possession limit for red snapper
is four per person.
The maximum penalties for possessing more than the legal limit of red
snapper and possessing undersized red snapper are fines of $350, or jail
time for 60 days, or both plus court costs. The maximum penalty for
possessing red drum in the EEZ is a fine of $950, or jail time for 120 days,
or both plus court costs. All five people will be assessed civil
restitution for the replacement value of the red drum. All of the fish were
seized and donated to local charities.
The citations were made while agents were patrolling offshore Louisiana
waters in the Federal EEZ under a Joint Enforcement Agreement in cooperation
with the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Agents participating in the case were Senior Agents Adam Young and Jason
Gernados.
LDWF AGENTS ARREST TWO
TERREBONNE BOATERS FOR DWI DURING HOLIDAY WEEKEND
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
arrested two Terrebonne Parish men for allegedly operating motorboats while
intoxicated during the July 4 weekend.
Terry Voisin, 45, of Theriot was arrested on July 2, and Jeffery Hermann,
22, of Houma was arrested on July 3. Agents conducting boating safety
inspections stopped both men near Lake Decade in Terrebonne Parish. Both
men allegedly showed signs of intoxication and subsequently performed poorly
on standardized field sobriety tests administered by the agents. They were
both booked into the Terrebonne Parish Criminal Justice Complex.
The arrests resulted from increased boating safety and DWI prevention
patrols by agents in response to an increase in boating accidents in the
area. The July 4 weekend, in particular, has been noted for its increase in
boating activity and accidents in Terrebonne Parish.
According to Louisiana law, operating any vehicle or vessel while the
operator is under the influence of drugs or alcohol carries the same
consequences. If convicted of a first offense, the operator faces a fine or
$300 to $1000 and shall be imprisoned for 10 days to 6 months, plus court
costs. In addition to fines and jail time, the two men face the possibility
of having their driver's licenses suspended for a length of time to be
determined by the court.
Agents participating in these cases were Lt. Chuck Comeaux, Sgt. Richard
Purvis, Senior Agents Thomas DeWitt and Joe Arnaud.
THREE PEOPLE DIE IN SEPARATE BOATING ACCIDENTS OVER
HOLIDAY WEEKEND
Three people died in boating accidents in Louisiana over the long Fourth of
July weekend, according to Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Enforcement division agents.
In addition to the three fatalities, there were 12 injuries reported in the
15 recorded boating accidents from Friday through Monday evening.
In St. James Parish, 20-year-old Jennie Loque of Paulina was killed in a
two-boat collision on Blind River. Louque was a passenger in a boat
operated by a 16-year-old when the boat collided with a vessel piloted by
Wilson Roussel of Baton Rouge. Louque was ejected from the vessel and died
from apparent head injuries. The juvenile operator was charged with DWI in
the incident.
In Bienville Parish, Karen Holeyfield of Ringgold died Monday as a result of
injuries sustained when the personal watercraft she was operating was struck
by another personal watercraft operated by Edward Aman of Shreveport. Aman
was booked into the Bienville Parish jail and charged with third offense
DWI, reckless operation of a watercraft and vehicular homicide.
In St. Tammany Parish, a Marrero resident died when the personal watercraft
on which she was a passenger was struck by a 20-foot runabout boat in Bayou
Bonfuca. Laura Bergeron, 25, was riding with Thomas A Vanness, Jr. of
Marrero when their vessel collided with the boat driven by Nathan Crabtree
of Marrero. Charges are pending in the incident, which is still under
investigation.
ST. CHARLES MAN ARRESTED FOR FELONY D.W.I.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
arrested a St. Charles Parish man for allegedly driving a motorboat while
intoxicated on June 23.
David K. Knight, 38, of Montz was booked into the Nelson Coleman
Correctional Center in St. Charles Parish after he was stopped in the Bonnet
Carre Spillway for a boating compliance check. During the inspection, the
agents noticed that Knight appeared to be intoxicated. He performed poorly
on several standardized field sobriety tests and was arrested for his third
offense of driving while intoxicated (DWI). Knight refused to submit to
breath testing for blood alcohol content and was subsequently cited for
failure to submit to a chemical test.
The penalty for third offense DWI is one to five years of imprisonment with
or without hard labor and a fine of $2,000. The vessel used during the
violation is also subject to seizure by the court.
Failure to submit to the chemical test carries the same penalties as a first
offense DWI. The offender shall be fined $300 to $1,000, and shall be
imprisoned between 10 days and 6 months.
Senior Agents Eddie Skena and Jeff Robinson participated in the
investigation.
OFFSHORE PATROLS RESULT IN RECREATIONAL FISHERIES VIOLATIONS
Agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement
Division cited four people for alleged violations of red snapper regulations
on June 16, while patrolling offshore Louisiana waters in the Federal
Exclusive Economic Zone as part of a Joint Enforcement Agreement with the
National Marine Fisheries Service.
Benhail U. Gordon, 31, and Selena A. Gordon, 28, both from Slidell, Deborah
R. Fotheringham, 33, of Auburn, Calif., and Tommy Ardeneux, 30, of Covington
were cited for possessing undersized red snapper. Gordon was additionally
cited for having more than the legal limit of red snapper and for one
undersized gag grouper.
Agents checked the four people after they were done fishing near oil
platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. Inspections of their catch revealed 34 red
snapper, all under the legal size limit of 16 inches, and one gag grouper
that was less than the legal size limit of 22 inches in length. The
possession limit for red snapper is four per person.
Maximum penalties for possessing undersized red snapper, possessing more
than the legal limit of red snapper and possessing undersized gag grouper
are fines of $350 or jail time for 60 days, or both, plus court costs. The
four people were also issued civil restitution notices for the value of the
undersized fish. All fish involved in the incident were seized and donated
to local charities.
Agents participating in the case were Lt. Pete Bordes, Sgt. Todd Laviolette
and Senior Agent Robert Cosse.
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