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JUNE 2010
NEWS |
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TWO PERSONS ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH PORTABLE METH LAB AND STOLEN BOAT ON AMITE RIVER NEAR MAUREPAS LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES ACTIVELY ENFORCING FISHING CLOSURE IN OIL SPILL AREA L.D.W.F. ENFORCEMENT DIVISION ASSISTING WITH OIL SPILL RESPONSE L.D.W.F. AGENTS DISCOVER TWO DEAD SEABIRDS IN GRAND GOSIER AREA
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES TRAINS EMPLOYEES
FOR ONSHORE CLEANUP PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE SURVEY RESULTS AVAILABLE ONLINE PINEVILLE MAN CONVICTED OF HUNTING VIOLATIONS SIX CITED FOR TAKING OYSTERS ILLEGALLY IN PLAQUEMINES PARISH ORLEANS RESIDENT ARRESTED FOR FELONY D.W.I. TWO OYSTER FISHERMEN ARRESTED IN CAMERON PARISH CAPTAIN CITED FOR RED SNAPPER VIOLATIONS THREE CITED FOR ILLEGAL GILL NET VIOLATIONS
TWO PERSONS ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH PORTABLE METH LAB AND STOLEN BOAT ON AMITE RIVER NEAR MAUREPAS Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents teamed with Livingston Parish Deputies and detectives from several state and federal agencies in the arrest of two people in connection with an alleged portable clandestine methamphetamine laboratory on May 12. Agents encountered the duo as they fished from a stolen boat in the Amite River. Agents noted that the registration number and valid registration decal on the vessel had been spray-painted over. The agents then discovered attempts to hide the hull identification number. Further investigation revealed the vessel had been reported stolen from the Pass Manchac area of Tangipahoa Parish about eight days earlier. A search of the vessel revealed a 9 mm handgun and a backpack filled with implements commonly used by persons actively participating in the manufacturing of methamphetamine. Agents contacted the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office and relied heavily on their experience with dealing with the volatile substances involved in the manufacturing of methamphetamine. Agents arrested Marshall Collins Davis, 28, and Tara Renee Beaudeaux, 25, both of Maurepas and booked them into the Livingston Parish Jail on charges of manufacturing and producing methamphetamine; possession of a firearm with a controlled dangerous substance; creation and operation of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory; possession of a methamphetamine; possession of drug paraphernalia and angling without a license. Davis was also charged with possession of stolen property over $500, improper boat numbers and possession of a motorboat with hull identification number altered. Manufacturing of methamphetamine is punishable by imprisonment with hard labor between two and 30 years and a fine up to $50,000. Possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance is punishable with a fine up to $10,000, and imprisonment with hard labor between five and 10 years without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of the sentence. The penalty for creation and operation of a clandestine laboratory is imprisonment with hard labor between five and 15 years and a fine up to $25,000. The penalty for possession of methamphetamine is imprisonment with or without hard labor up to five years and a fine up to $5,000. The penalty for possession of drug paraphernalia is imprisonment up to six months, or a fine up to $500 or both. Possession of stolen property valued at more than $500 is punishable by imprisonment up to 10 years, a fine up to $3,000 or both. Angling without a license, improper boat numbers and possession of a motorboat with hull identification number altered are each punishable by a fine of 50 dollars. Participating in the case were LDWF agents Sgt. Todd Lewis, Senior Agent Garret Kimble and Sgt. Paul Stuckey. Livingston Parish Detective Jimmy Speyrer assisted with regard to the dangerous chemicals involved with the case. The Livingston Parish Hazardous Materials unit also provided assistance.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited two Louisiana men on May 18 in Iberville Parish for frogging during a closed season. Agents observed Marshall Higgins, 25, of Gonzales, and Keith Chiquet, 21, of St. James, in Braud Bayou frogging during a closed season with 24 illegally taken frogs in their possession at approximately 2:12 a.m. Agents returned the 24 frogs to the wild. Higgins was also cited for no running lights and failing to change ownership of his vessel. Frogging during a closed season carries a penalty of $250 to $500 in fines, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs. No running lights and fail to change ownership carry fines of $50 each. Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Todd Lewis and Senior Agent Randy Lanoux. The public can report wildlife violations anonymously by calling Operation Game Thief at 1-800-442-2511. Cash rewards can be earned.
LOUISIANA SAFE BOATING WEEK SET FOR MAY 22-28 The week of May 22-28, 2010, has been proclaimed Safe Boating Week in Louisiana by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. The week kicks off the summer boating season and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) reminds all boaters to be safe, responsible and knowledgeable while on the water. Safe Boating Week is a time for all boaters to inspect their vessels to ensure that all required safety equipment is on board and that vessels are in good working condition. “Our (LDWF) boating incident statistics indicate that nearly 74 percent of boating fatalities were people who drowned and were not wearing a personal flotation device, also known as a life jacket, and nearly 95 percent of operators involved in a fatal incident had never taken a boating education course," said LDWF Boating Safety Officer Lt. Rachel Zechenelly. "Two of the most important boating safety tips we can offer to Louisiana boaters are to wear a life jacket and take a boating education class.” Beginning July 1, 2010, persons born after Jan. 1, 1984 will be required to successfully complete a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) boating education course to operate a motorboat over 10 horsepower. The law previously stated that anyone born after Jan. 1, 1988 was required to complete a course. “Studies show that boating education is an important factor in reducing boating crashes and fatalities,” said Zechenelly. “Even experienced boaters can benefit from taking a boating education course." LDWF Enforcement Division agents will be on the water again this summer to verify boater compliance with all boating regulations and to help make recreational boating in Louisiana a safe and enjoyable outdoor activity. For more information on state boating laws or Boating Education courses, go to LDWF’s Web site at www.wlf.la.gov.
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES ACTIVELY ENFORCING FISHING CLOSURE IN OIL SPILL AREA BATON ROUGE, La. -- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents are patrolling the fishing closure zones in the oil spill area daily by water and air to ensure that all seafood brought to market is safe to consume. To guard against the possibility of oil tainted seafood being brought to shore, LDWF and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) has issued recreational and commercial fishing closures in areas of the gulf where oil is believed to have spread. “We are trying to keep as many areas open to fishing as possible, but as the oil spreads further towards the coast we have no choice but to issue a fishing closure for those areas,” said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham. “We want the consumers of Louisiana seafood to be confident that the seafood they consume is safe and delicious as always.” While LDWF continues to work closely with the Department of Health and Hospitals to execute closures, it is important to note that LDWF maintains the authority to close any and all areas that are deemed necessary by the secretary of the department. LDWF Enforcement Agents have the authority to enforce closures in state waters regardless of where the directive comes from. The Enforcement Division has deployed forward command centers to Hopedale, Venice and Grand Isle to patrol the fishing closure areas. From these locations, agents launch boats for daily missions specific to the closed fishing zones. The Enforcement Division also flies over the oil spill area to monitor and report any signs of fishing activity in these closed areas. If an agent discovers fishing activity in the closed area, they will inspect the catch and return all fish to the water. If fishermen are found to be in obvious violation of the current fishing closure areas, agents will issue a citation to all parties involved. LDWF will also be inspecting trip tickets, which are used by the department to track seafood sales and where the seafood was caught. Every wholesale/retail seafood, fresh product and crab shredder license holder must fill out trip tickets along with a monthly report to LDWF. “The vast majority of people are complying and respectful of the fishing closure zones and understand why they have been put in place,” said Colonel Winton Vidrine, head of LDWF’s Law Enforcement Division. “However, agents will continue to strictly enforce the closed areas to ensure that every fish caught in the these areas are returned to the water.” To report fishing activity in the no fishing zones, please call 1-800-442-2511 or 225-765-2441. For more information related to the oil spill, visit www.emergency.louisiana.gov.
L.D.W.F. ENFORCEMENT DIVISION ASSISTING WITH OIL
SPILL RESPONSE
L.D.W.F. AGENTS DISCOVER TWO DEAD SEABIRDS IN GRAND GOSIER AREA Louisiana Wildlife and
Fisheries Enforcement agents discovered two dead gannets, possibly killed by the
ongoing Deepwater Horizon oil spill, on May 5th. A determination has not been
made on the cause of the birds¹ deaths, but agents confirmed that the birds were
covered in oil when found.
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES
TRAINS EMPLOYEES FOR ONSHORE CLEANUP
OUACHITA PARISH MAN CITED FOR ALLIGATOR VIOLATIONS Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited a Ouachita Parish man on April 14 for illegally taking an alligator in Wham Brake located on the Ouachita and Morehouse Parish lines. Agents cited Robert Allen Cannon, 38, of Collinston, after receiving an anonymous complaint that Cannon had shot an alligator in the area of the Wham Brake bridge on Hwy. 134. Agents located evidence at Cannon's residence and upon questioning he admitted to shooting the 11-foot alligator with a .22 caliber rifle. Agents also located the remains of the alligator in Wham Brake and numerous spent .22 caliber casings in the area. Cannon was cited for taking an alligator during a closed season and taking an alligator without a license. The penalty for taking an alligator during a closed season is a fine from $400 to $950, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court cost. The penalty for taking an alligator without a license is a fine from $250 to $500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court cost. Cannon could also face a civil restitution penalty of $365 for the value of the alligator. Agents involved in the case were Sgt. Lane Kincaid, Senior Agents Leah Grover and Brandon Miller and Agent Scott Bullitt.
PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE SURVEY RESULTS AVAILABLE ONLINE A new Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) personal flotation device (PFD) survey of Louisiana boat owners indicates support for current PFD regulations and enforcement. The entire "Boating Safety and Waterway Enforcement Statistical Report and Personal Flotation Device (PFD) Survey" report can be found on the LDWF Web site at www.wlf.louisiana.gov/publicservices/enforcement. The LDWF Socioeconomic Research and Development Section administered the survey to 2,000 Louisiana boat owners in late 2009 of which 1,292 were returned resulting in a 65.5 percent response rate. The survey was designed to learn more about the individuals who own and operate recreational boats in Louisiana and their views on issues relating to boating, public waterways and boating safety primarily their use of PFDs. The survey results revealed that 77 percent of respondents are in favor of the current law, which became law in 2009, requiring passengers 16 years of age and younger to wear a PFD. When asked for their degree of support for a law requiring all passengers regardless of age to wear a PFD, 33 percent responded favorably while 27 percent were against making PFDs mandatory for everyone on board. The survey also measured the activities respondents participate in while boating, reasons why or why not respondents wear a PFD, views on boating safety enforcement, aquatic weed control and litter prevention on Louisiana waterways. "This survey offered some valuable data on our current boating safety regulations and will help guide our boating safety program as we strive to make Louisiana waterways safer," said LDWF State Boating Law Administrator Lt. Col. Jeff Mayne. "We appreciate all the boaters who took the time to complete the survey because their opinions are important to our program." The Boating Safety and Waterway Enforcement Statistical Report is a yearly report that documents the previous year's boating crash incidents and fatalities on Louisiana waters. In 2009, there were 152 reportable boating crash incidents that either resulted in death or injury or property damage over $500. Out of the 152 boating crash incidents, 25 of them were classified as fatal boating crash incidents resulting in 32 total deaths. Drowning was attributed to 17 of the 32 deaths of which 15 were not wearing a PFD. Alcohol use was found to be the most common cause of fatal incidents on the water. "We always encourage everybody to wear a PFD when traveling on the water," said Lt. Col. Mayne. "Investigations of fatal boating crash incidents have shown that wearing a PFD could have saved somebody from drowning in most cases."
PINEVILLE MAN CONVICTED OF HUNTING VIOLATIONS A two-week investigation by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division in late 2009 led to a guilty plea for 16 wildlife violations by a Pineville man. John Youngblood, 42, was sentenced March 31 by Judge John C. Davidson of the 9th Judicial District Court of Rapides Parish to serve 120 days in jail of which 60 days are to be suspended, pay $1,800 in fines and pay $1,000 to Operation Game Thief plus all court costs. Youngblood pled guilty to the following wildlife charges: two counts of hunting from a moving vehicle; two counts of hunting deer from a roadway; two counts of hunting deer with an illegal weapon; two counts of taking deer at night; three counts of violating Wildlife Management Area regulations; possessing illegal game; no big game license; hunting from a public road; failing to maintain sex identification of the deer harvested; and failing to tag deer. Youngblood was also sentenced to loss of all hunting and fishing privileges for two years and had to forfeit two guns that were seized at the time of his arrest. LDWF agents spotted Youngblood and Alan Miles, both of Pineville, hunting deer during illegal hours from a moving vehicle on Nov. 7, 2009. A chase ensued and the suspects abandoned their vehicle and fled to the woods on foot. Agents apprehended Youngblood, but Miles eluded Law Enforcement for approximately three weeks until he was finally apprehended by the Pineville Police Department. Miles pled guilty on Feb. 24 to illegal drug possession with intent to distribute, illegal weapon possession and additional wildlife charges on Feb. 24. Miles was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment based on his guilty plea and past criminal record. Senior Agents Kevin Hill, Byron Cammack, Chad Watts and Sgt. Marcus Constance participated in the case. Agents were assisted by the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Department, Pineville Police Department and Pollock Police Department. Rapides Parish Assistant District Attorney Mike Shannon prosecuted the case.
SIX CITED FOR TAKING OYSTERS ILLEGALLY IN PLAQUEMINES PARISH Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited six individuals for alleged oyster violations in Plaquemines Parish on Monday, April 19. Agents were on patrol in the Port Sulphur area in Bay De La Cheniere when three boats were spotted harvesting oysters in a closed area. Nam Nguyen, 70, of Port Sulphur, Tai Ly, 58, Sophen Men, 30, Ruben Martinez, 23, Sang Thach, 43, Thy Kim, 42, all from Buras, were cited for taking oysters from an unapproved area. Agents seized and returned 43 sacks of oysters to the water. The penalty for taking oysters from an unapproved area is punishable by a fine of $400 to $900, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs. Any person convicted of these violations may for one year after the date of such conviction only harvest oysters from a vessel that employs a vessel monitoring system. Access to the monitoring system shall be granted to LDWF. In addition, the oyster harvester's license or licenses under which the violation occurred will be revoked for the period for which it or they were issued. For the first offense, the license or licenses shall not be reinstated for one year. For the second and subsequent offenses, the license or licenses shall not be reinstated for three years. Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Adam Young and Senior Agent Villere Reggio.
ORLEANS RESIDENT ARRESTED FOR FELONY D.W.I. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents arrested an Orleans Parish resident on Saturday, April 17 for allegedly driving a vessel while intoxicated (DWI) in Jefferson Parish. Agents arrested Perry Gene Reynolds, 51, of Algiers, for fourth offense DWI, outstanding warrants and other boating safety violations. LDWF agents were on patrol in Bayou Segnette when they encountered Reynolds. The agents immediately noticed that Reynolds was impaired and escorted him to land to perform standardized field sobriety tests where agents determined Reynolds to be intoxicated and was arrested. Reynolds refused to submit to chemical testing. During the investigation, agents determined that Reynolds was just released from house arrest resulting from his third DWI conviction. Agents also discovered that Reynolds had an outstanding traffic warrant issued by the City of Gretna. In addition to these charges, Reynolds was also cited for improper boat numbers and failing to change ownership. Fourth offense felony DWI has a penalty of imprisonment with or without hard labor for 10 to 30 years and a fine of $5,000. If convicted, Reynolds will serve at least 75 days of the sentence of imprisonment without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence. The penalty for improper boat numbers and failure to change ownership is a $50 fine, or up to 15 days in jail, or both, plus court costs for each charge. Agents participating in the case were Senior Agents Austin Arteaga and Doug Danna.
TWO OYSTER FISHERMEN ARRESTED IN CAMERON PARISH Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents assigned to the Oyster Strike Force arrested two Sulphur men on April 8 for oyster violations. The agents observed Allen Dwayne Duraso, 38, and Richard John Geronimo, 46, as they attempted to sell 25 sacks of shell stock oysters, which is 10 sacks over the allowed daily limit of oysters harvested from Calcasieu Lake. Duraso sold 15 sacks of shell stock oysters without a current vessel license. Duraso and Geronimo then sold another 10 sacks of illegally caught shell stock oysters from their second trip using false boat registration numbers. Duraso was cited for violating Calcasieu Lake Oyster regulations, no vessel license and intentional concealment of oysters. Geronimo was cited with violating Calcasieu Lake Oyster regulations, intentional concealment of oysters and injuring public records. The penalties for not having a vessel license is punishable by a fine of $250 to $500, or jail time for up to 90 days, or both plus court costs. For violating Calcasieu Lake Oyster Regulations, the two face fines between $400 and $950, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized. Injuring public records carries up to five years of imprisonment with or without hard labor, and a fine up to $5,000 or both. Agents involved in the investigation were Lt. Remy Broussard, Lt. Billy Gomillion, Senior Agent Beau Robertson, Senior Agent Bryan Robertson, Agent Ronnie Engelhard and Agent Michael Flurry.
CAPTAIN CITED FOR RED SNAPPER VIOLATIONS Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited the captain of a fishing vessel for alleged red snapper violations on April 1 in the Grand Isle area. Thanh Van Le, 45, of Houma and captain of the Friendship, was found to be in illegal possession of 12 red snapper. Agents boarded the fishing vessel Friendship and found two sacks containing red snapper under sacks of frozen shrimp in the hold of the vessel. The red snapper were wrapped in white plastic to conceal their presence. Upon interviewing the captain, it was determined the red snapper had been illegally caught in the vessel’s shrimp nets. Agents inspected the captain’s licenses and federal permits, and found the captain did not have a federal permit for red snapper.
THREE CITED FOR ILLEGAL GILL NET VIOLATIONS Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Division agents cited three men on Saturday, April 17 for allegedly using illegal gill nets near Lake Felicity in Terrebonne Parish. Agents observed Ryan M. Greene Sr., 21, from Cutoff, Shane P. Dufrene, 20, from Galliano, and Tori L. Demere, 33, from Golden Meadow, with an illegal gill net in their boat. Agents approached the vessel and found the illegal gill net with approximately 100 pounds of illegally caught black drum and eight pounds of illegally caught sheephead. Agents checked Greene’s commercial licenses and found he had not purchased a required vessel license nor did he have a required permit allowing him to travel with the gill net onboard his vessel. While conducting a boating safety inspection of Greene’s vessel, Agents also found that Greene had an expired boat registration, no boat numbers, no personal flotation devices (PFD), no fire extinguisher, no boat registration certificate in his possession, no sound producing device and Greene had not taken a required boating education course. Greene was cited with possessing commercial fish without a vessel license, using a saltwater gill net illegally, possessing a net without a traversing permit, expired boat registration certificate, no boat numbers, failing to comply with PFD requirements, no fire extinguisher, no boat registration certificate in possession, no sound producing device, and failing to comply with boating education requirements. Dufrene and Demere were each cited for illegal use of a saltwater gill net and possession of a net without a traversing permit. The penalty for possessing commercial fish without a vessel license is punishable by a fine of $250 to $500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs. The penalties for illegal use of a saltwater gill net is a fine of $900 to $950, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized. Possessing a net without a traversing permit is punishable by a fine of $900 to $950, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized. Boating safety violations are each punishable by a fine of $50, or jail time up to 15 days, or both plus court costs. Agents participating in this case were Senior Agents Wesley Duck and Bear Fletcher.
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