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JUNE/JULY 2007 NEWS |
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TEXAS DEALER AND LOCAL MEN CITED FOR RECORDS AND LICENSE
VIOLATIONS EUNICE MEN ARRESTED FOR ALLIGATOR VIOLATIONS FOUR CITED IN LAKE MECHANT FOR TAKING OYSTERS FROM UNLEASED STATE WATER BOTTOMS DOVE HUNTERS ENTER GUILTY PLEAS IN FEDERAL COURT CAMERON MEN ARRESTED FOR SHRIMPING VIOLATIONS
TEXAS DEALER AND LOCAL MEN CITED FOR RECORDS AND LICENSE VIOLATIONS Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited a Texas man and two Louisiana men for commercial fishing records and license violations on June 15. Vincent L. Florio, 32, of Flatonia, Texas was cited for allegedly failing to maintain records, buying commercial fish from an unlicensed fisherman and violating interstate commerce regulations. Richard Ackman, 42, of Pierre Part was cited for allegedly failing to maintain records, and taking and selling commercial fish without a commercial license, commercial gear license and crawfish traps. Nelson Dugas, 72, of Donaldsonville was cited for allegedly failing to maintain records. Agents were patrolling the Shell Beach Road area in Pierre Part located in Assumption Parish at 5:45 p.m. when they observed two fishermen, later identified as Ackman and Dugas, selling their crawfish to Florio. After Ackman and Dugas departed, the agents then approached Florio to check for the proper paperwork for his purchases. He could not produce the correct paperwork for the transactions. Agents also learned that Ackman was unlicensed. Penalties for failing to maintain records, and for taking or selling commercial fish without a commercial license and commercial gear license include fines between $250 to $500, or jail for up to 90 days, or both plus court costs. Buying commercial fish from an unlicensed fisherman carries a fine between $350 to $500, and jail for up to 30 days, or both plus court costs, license revocation and forfeiture of anything seized. Violation of interstate commerce regulations is punishable by fines of $900 to $950, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized. The agents seized 25 sacks of crawfish (935 pounds) from Florio. Three bids were obtained and the crawfish were sold to a licensed seafood dealer at fair market value. Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Winston Michel and Agent Tyler Marroy.
UNLEASED STATE WATER BOTTOMS YIELDS VIOLATIONS IN LAKE MECHANT Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division's Oyster Strike Force agents cited seven men on June 26 for alleged oyster violations in Lake Mechant located in Terrebonne Parish. Jesus Resendiz Zarraga, 53, and Mauro Raymundo Aragon Garcia, 32, both from Houma, Tano Flores, 31, of Bourg, Santiago Martinez Flores, 44, of Montegut, Wade Lacoste, 38, Brandon Slaughter, 30, and a juvenile, all from Theriot were cited for taking oysters from unleased state water bottoms. Responding to complaints in lower Terrebonne Parish, agents saw two vessels dredging for oysters on unleased water bottoms. The area in question contains unleased state water bottoms and private leases. Utilizing LDWF's global positioning satellite equipment, agents marked the locations before boarding the vessel. The locations were proven to be on unleased state water bottoms, where oyster harvesting is illegal. Agents seized and returned 70 sacks of oysters to the water and placed four oyster dredges and two boats being used under a department seizure order. Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Bryan Marie and Senior Agent Mike Garrity.
STOLEN BOAT RECOVERED IN ST. LANDRY PARISH Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents arrested Michael J Kaiser, 29, of Krotz Springs for alleged illegal possession of stolen things, and unauthorized use of a vessel on June 13. Kaiser was booked into the St. Landry Parish Jail. Acting on a complaint, agents began an investigation and discovered Kaiser was in possession of a boat that had been reported stolen. Agents seized a 21-foot Suntracker Party Barge and returned it to the owner. The penalty for illegal possession of stolen things is a fine up to $3,000, or imprisonment with or without hard labor for up to 10 years or both. The penalty for unauthorized use of a vessel is a fine up to $5,000, or imprisonment with or without hard labor for up to five years or both. Agents participating in the case were Lt. Donald Salpietra, Sgts Cliff Ortis, Travis Huval, and Brad Garon, Senior Agent Channing Duvall, and Agents Allan Marbury, and Jason Sanchez.
THREE CITED FOR ILLEGAL OYSTER HARVEST IN PLAQUEMINES PARISH
Gary Barthelemy, 62, of Pointe a la Hache, Nephus Junior Wilson, 51, of Davant, and Lex Thomas Williams, 47, of Liberty, Mississippi were cited for taking oysters from unleased state water bottoms. Agents assigned to the Oyster Strike Force saw a vessel crewed by the three men dredging for oysters on unleased water bottoms in lower Plaquemines Parish. The area in question contains unleased state water bottoms and private leases. Utilizing LDWF's global positioning satellite equipment, agents marked the location before boarding the vessel. The location was proven to be on unleased state water bottoms, where oyster harvesting is illegal. Agents seized and returned 10 sacks of oysters to the water and placed two oyster dredges and the boat being used under a department seizure order. The penalty for unlawfully taking oysters from state water bottoms is a fine between $400 and $950, or imprisonment for up to 120 days, or both plus courts costs. Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Bryan Marie and Senior Agent Mike Garrity.
THREE CITED FOR GROSS LITTERING IN ST BERNARD PARISH Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited two men on June 5 for an alleged littering violation near Blind Bay in St. Bernard Parish. David A. Lewis, 59, and Aaron Francis, 61, both from Braithwaite, were cited for gross littering from a boat. Responding to complaints in lower St. Bernard Parish, agents saw a vessel being used to dump oyster shells in Blind Bay. This practice is commonly called “bedding” oyster shells. The purpose is to improve the oyster reef and enhance oyster production. Closer observation revealed floating latex gloves, silicon tubes, plastic covers, and other discarded items floating in the water around the vessel. The trash consisted of items commonly used at an oyster shucking facility. The agents found the same items mixed in the remaining oyster shells on the vessel. The crew on board the vessel were washing the items overboard with high-pressure water, commonly used in the bedding of oysters. On June 7, 2007, agents located the owner of the vessel. The ensuing investigation revealed that Louis Curt Pannagl, 47, of Braithwaite was responsible for the oyster shells and litter being placed on the oyster grounds in Blind Bay. Agents also cited Pannagl for alleged gross littering. The penalty for gross littering is a fine up to $1000 and eight hours of community service in a litter abatement work program as approved by the court. In addition to penalties otherwise provided, a person convicted under this section shall repair or restore property damaged by or pay damages for any damage arising out of the violation of this section and pay all reasonable investigative expenses and costs to the investigative agency or agencies. Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Bryan Marie, Sgt. Eddie Skena, Senior Agent Mike Garrity, Lt. Stephen McManus, and Capt. Brian Clark.
EUNICE MEN ARRESTED FOR ALLIGATOR VIOLATIONS Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents arrested two men on June 11 for alleged alligator violations near Eunice in St. Landry Parish. Jay Farque, 29, and Randy Koseck, 28, both of Eunice were arrested for stealing alligators and selling the meat. Agents acting on a complaint set up surveillance at a local business and apprehended Koseck as he attempted to sell the alligators. Farque was arrested at a local seafood dealer where he was the driver of a seafood delivery truck. Agents seized 378 pounds of stolen alligators and returned them to the dealer. Farque and Koseck were booked into the St. Landry Parish Jail and charged with theft of alligators, selling seafood without a retail seafood dealer’s license and failure to maintain required records of all alligator transactions. The penalty for theft of an alligator is a fine up to $2,000, or jail time with or without hard labor up to two years or both. Selling seafood without a retail dealer’s license and failure to maintain required records of all alligator transactions each carry fines ranging from $250 to $500, jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs. Agents participating in the case were Sgts. Travis Huval and Chris Carpenter, and Agent Lance Devillier
FOUR CITED IN LAKE MECHANT FOR TAKING OYSTERS FROM UNLEASED STATE WATER BOTTOMS Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division’s Oyster Strike Force agents cited four men on June 16 for alleged oyster violations in Lake Mechant located in Terrebonne Parish. Juan Cardenas, 33, Alberto Calderon, 20, and Jose Cardenas, all from Gray, and Raul Rodriguez Calderon, 54, of Houma, were cited for taking oysters from unleased state water bottoms. Responding to complaints in lower Terrebonne Parish, agents saw a vessel crewed by the four dredging for oysters on unleased water bottoms. The area in question contains unleased state water bottoms and private leases. Utilizing LDWF's global positioning satellite equipment, agents marked the location before boarding the vessel. The location was proven to be on unleased state water bottoms, where oyster harvesting is illegal. Agents seized and returned 35 sacks of oysters to the water and placed two oyster dredges and the boat being used under a department seizure order. Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Bryan Marie and Senior Agent Mike Garrity.
DOVE HUNTERS ENTER GUILTY PLEAS IN FEDERAL COURT Anthony F. Tamporello, 49, of Norco and Kris P. Pfister, 19, of St. Rose, appeared before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana in New Orleans and pled guilty on May 15 to taking migratory game birds over a baited area and taking over the daily limit of migratory game birds. U. S. Magistrate Judge Louis Moore, Jr. accepted the guilty pleas and fined Tamporello $1,825 and Pfister $1,675. Moore also ordered the men to serve three years inactive probation, pay a $20 special assessment fee, and both men are prohibited from entering any National Wildlife Refuge. Agents were conducting surveillance of a baited area on the St. Charles Parish Hurricane Protection Levee, when Tamporello and Pfister arrived and began to hunt. The agents documented the hunt and watched each hunter shoot over his daily limit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Capitelli negotiated the plea agreement on behalf of the government. Agents participating in the investigation were Lt. Stephen McManus, Sgt. Eddie Skena, Senior Agent Jason Russo, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent Stephen Clark.
CAMERON MEN ARRESTED FOR SHRIMPING VIOLATIONS Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited three men on May 22 for alleged shrimping violations near Calcasieu Pass in Cameron Parish. Larry Boudoin, 42, of Lake Charles, Phillip Whittington, 30, of Cameron and Joe Wilson, 43, of Cameron were cited for shrimping with “butterfly nets” during a closed season. Agents observed the vessels “butterflying” in state shrimp Zone 3 inshore waters, which are closed to the commercial harvest of shrimp until noon on May 28. Agents seized four butterfly nets that are being held as evidence and 80 pounds of shrimp that were donated to the Salvation Army in Lake Charles. Wilson was also cited for failing to possess a commercial license, taking or possessing commercial fish without a vessel license, taking commercial fish without a commercial gear license, obstruction of justice and unauthorized use of a vessel. The unauthorized use of a vessel charge came after the owner of the vessel that Wilson used filed a written statement with enforcement agents that claimed his shrimp boat was used without his knowledge. The penalty for butterflying during a closed season is a fine between $400-$950, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs. For a second offense the fine is between $750-$999, and imprisonment for 90 to 180 days plus court costs. Failure to have a commercial license, take or possess commercial fish without a vessel license and take commercial fish without a commercial gear license each carry fines ranging from $250-$500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs. The penalty for obstruction of justice is a fine up to $10,000, imprisonment up to five years with or without hard labor, or both. The penalty for unauthorized use of a vessel is a fine not more than $5,000 or imprisonment with or without hard labor for up to 5 years, or both. Wilson was booked into the Cameron Parish jail and is awaiting bond. Agents participating in the cases were Sgt. David Sanford, Sr. Agent Ray Thomas, Agent Chris Hoag and Agent Beau Robertson.
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