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LAFAYETTE MAN ARRESTED ON ALLIGATOR VIOLATIONS
SAFE BOATING WEEK MAY 20-26, 2006
COLFAX HUNTER CITED AFTER HUNTING ACCIDENT
TWO MEN CITED FOR ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF DEER
THREE MEN CITED ON POINTE-AUX-CHENES W.M.A.
SIX LAFAYETTE RESIDENTS RECEIVE FEDERAL CITATIONS
AGENTS CITE TWO MEN FOR HUNTING TURKEYS OVER BAIT IN
TENSAS PARISH
FOUR FROM HOUMA CITED FOR SHRIMPING IN CLOSED AREA
BOAT MISSING SINCE HURRICANE KATRINA, RECOVERED IN TERREBONNE
PARISH
L.D.W.F. AGENTS MAKE NARCOTICS ARREST IN ST. CHARLES PARISH
AGENTS CITE TWO ST. BERNARD PARISH MEN FOR DEER VIOLATIONS
2006 TURKEY BAITING VIOLATIONS
LAFAYETTE MAN ARRESTED ON ALLIGATOR VIOLATIONS
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
arrested a Lafayette man for possessing live alligators without alligator
permits on April 26.
Agents acting on a complaint found Stephen McCall Jr., 19, with two live
alligators in an aquarium. Agents had cited McCall on Feb. 15, 2006 for the
same violation when he was found with two live alligators at the same
residence. Agents seized and released the alligators into the wild in both
cases.
Both cases are still pending court action. The penalty for possession of
live alligators without a permit is punishable by a fine between $250-$500,
or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs. The penalty for
second offense possession of live alligators without a permit is a fine
between $500-$800, imprisonment between 60 and 90 days, and forfeiture of
anything seized in connection with the violation.
Agents participating in the case were Sgts. Travis Huval and Chris
Carpenter.
SAFE BOATING WEEK MAY 20-26, 2006
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is pleased to
announce that Governor Kathleen Blanco has proclaimed May 20-26 as Safe
Boating Week in Louisiana and the State Legislature has approved a
resolution highlighting this important water safety event.
In Louisiana and across the nation, May 20-26 will be recognized as Safe
Boating Week to remind boaters to practice safe and responsible boating by
always wearing a life jacket and remaining alert on the water. Statistics
show that nearly 70 percent of the boating fatalities in Louisiana are due
to drowning and nearly 80 percent of those victims were not wearing a life
jacket.
"Maintaining a safe and enjoyable atmosphere on our state waterways is a
major goal of the Enforcement Division," said LDWF's Colonel Winton Vidrine.
"We encourage the boating public to wear their life jacket while
participating in activities on the water."
Enforcement agents across the state will be highlighting safe boating
activities as the summer boating season begins. The Louisiana Wildlife
Agent's Association has also partnered with LDWF to hand out free t-shirts
to kids wearing life jackets when agents make random safety inspections on
the water. The t-shirts are sponsored by businesses across the state and
are inscribed with the slogan: "I Got Caught Wearing My Life Jacket."
LDWF encourages all boaters to enroll in a boating education course. Boating
knowledge and skills are important in reducing human error and improving
judgment. Those completing the course are more aware of the risks involved
during time spent on the water and understand the need for precautionary
measures that protect themselves, their friends, family, and others.
For more information on safe boating practices, regulations, or boating
education courses, please visit LDWF's Web site at
www.wlf.louisiana.gov.
COLFAX HUNTER CITED AFTER HUNTING ACCIDENT
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
cited Jason H. Futrell, 24, of Colfax after allegedly shooting another
hunter accidentally while turkey hunting in Winn Parish on April 10.
Futrell was hunting off of Hyde Road on the Catahoula Wildlife Management
Area when he mistook Dustin J. Lasyone, 25, of Colfax for a gobbler.
Futrell had been stalking a turkey that crossed a woods road near Lasyone.
Lasyone stated that he was unable to get a shot at the turkey and then saw
Futrell come out onto the road about 35 yards from him. Lasyone waved his
arm to let Futrell know he was there and Futrell raised his gun and shot him
in the head, neck, shoulder and upper torso areas.
Futrell, along with his hunting partner, James L. Swanson, 34, also of
Colfax, rendered aid to Lasyone by calling 911 and transporting him out of
the woods. Once on the highway, the men flagged down Louisiana State
Trooper Mike Gilliam, who transported Lasyone to Winn Parish Medical Center.
He was treated for his injuries and transferred to St. Frances Cabrini
Hospital for further treatment.
After investigating the shooting, agents ruled that it was accidental, but
cited Futrell for negligent injury because he failed to identify his target.
A Remington 870 Express 12-gauge shotgun was seized for evidence.
Sgt. Marcus Constance and Senior Agent Rusty Perry conducted the
investigation. The penalty for negligent injuring is a fine up to $500, or
jail time up to six months or both.
TWO MEN CITED FOR ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF DEER
On the evening of March 11, 2006, two Sulphur men were cited by a Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agent for
possessing illegally taken deer during a closed season.
Daniel Mark Sanford, 29, and Rusty Lane Domingue, 25, were apprehended after
information from an anonymous source led Lt. Remy Broussard to Sanford's
residence. He found the men in possession of two recently killed does. The
two deer had allegedly been killed earlier that evening and taken to
Sanford's home in Calcasieu parish where the deer were processed and packed
in ice.
The meat was seized by Lt. Broussard and was later donated to a homeless
shelter in the area.
The penalty for taking or possessing illegally taken deer during a closed
season is a fine between $400-$750, or imprisonment for not more than 120
days or both.
THREE MEN CITED ON POINTE-AUX-CHENES W.M.A.
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
cited three cast netters who were allegedly fishing for shrimp on April 27
on the Pointe-aux-Chenes Wildlife Management area (WMA).
At approximately 10:40 p.m., agents observed the men throwing cast nets on
the Island Road section of the WMA. The agents then discovered them with
more than the recreational limit of 10 pounds of shrimp per vehicle or
vessel, which is allowed on the WMA during a closed shrimp season. Agents
seized the subjects' shrimp, 461 pounds of 80/100 count, and sold them to a
local seafood dealer for a total of $368.80.
Kevin Venterella, 26, of Bayou Blue, Michael Neill, 45, of Chauvin, and
Donald Anderson, 33, of Bourg were all booked with two counts of Class 2
violations, which each carry a fine between $100-$350, or jail time up to 60
days, or both plus court costs. They were also cited with taking over the
legal limit of shrimp, which constitutes a class 3 violation and brings a
fine between $250-$500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court
costs.
Agents involved in this case were Senior Agents Jamie Folse and Thomas
DeWitt.
SIX LAFAYETTE RESIDENTS RECEIVE FEDERAL CITATIONS
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
cited six Lafayette men on April 15 for alleged federal violations.
Clinton A. Sepulvado, 22, Brad J. Guillotte, 20, Jason P. Thibodeaux, 20,
Derek C. Guilbeau, 20, Dustin C. Guilbeau, 22, and Richard D. Ball, 19, all
of Lafayette were each cited for taking non-game birds for which there is no
season.
Agents responded to a complaint from the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office.
Upon arrival, the agents found that 21 tree swallows and one laughing gull
had been shot and killed. They also found one laughing gull wounded by
shot, which later died. Both species of birds are federally protected and
cannot be legally taken.
The penalty for each non-game bird violation is a fine up to $15,000, jail
up to one year and loss of hunting privileges.
Agents participating in the investigation were Sgts. Chris Carpenter and
Travis Huval.
AGENTS CITE TWO MEN FOR HUNTING TURKEYS OVER BAIT IN
TENSAS PARISH
On the morning of
April 8, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Enforcement Division agents cited Mark Brown, 60, of Rayville, and Mark Alan
Brown, 35, of Shreveport for allegedly hunting turkeys over a baited area.
Prior to daylight, agents set up surveillance on an area where grain had
been scattered. The agents suspected illegal turkey hunting over bait in
this area. Shortly after daylight, agents heard turkey calls in the
immediate area of the scattered grain. Both men were found hunting turkey
over the illegal bait.
The younger Brown was also cited for hunting without a basic license,
hunting without a big game license and hunting turkeys without a turkey
license.
The penalty for hunting turkey over bait is a fine between $250-$500, jail
for not more than 90 days, or both plus court costs. Hunting without a
basic license, hunting without a big game license and hunting turkeys
without a turkey license each carry a $50 fine.
Agents participating in the case were Lt. Gene Wilson, Sgt. Larry May, and
Sr. Agent Brandon Miller.
FOUR FROM HOUMA CITED FOR SHRIMPING IN CLOSED AREA
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
cited four Houma shrimpers for allegedly shrimping in state offshore waters
during the closed season on March 28.
Huynh V. Minh, 50, Tuan Van Tran, 40, Thao T. Nguyen, 47, and Phong K.
Nguyen, 22, all of Houma were cited when agents allegedly spotted them
shrimping in their 86-foot trawl boat fewer than three miles from the beach
just south of St. Mary Parish. Shrimping in state offshore waters was
closed from the coast out to three miles offshore at the time.
Agents made contact with the vessel and advised them of the violation.
Agents then discovered that the four trawl nets that the subjects were using
had a total cork length measurement of 215 feet. Shrimpers are restricted
to using not more than 130 feet of total cork line in state offshore waters.
All four subjects were issued citations for trawling in state offshore
waters during a closed season and using trawls that exceeded size
requirements. The penalty for each of these violations is a fine between
$400-$750, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs. For a
second offense and all subsequent convictions, trawl licenses shall be
revoked for the remainder of the issued year, plus an additional year.
Four shrimp trawls were seized and will be held as evidence. A total of
2,387 pounds of shrimp were seized and sold at fair market value. The
proceeds of that sale will be held in escrow pending disposition of the
cases.
Agents participating in this case were Agents Scott Dupre, David Boudreaux,
and Sgt. Ross Mire.
BOAT MISSING SINCE HURRICANE KATRINA, RECOVERED IN TERREBONNE PARISH
On April 5,
Enforcement Division agents of the Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries recovered a vessel reported lost during Hurricane
Katrina in the Bayou Chauvin area of Terrebonne Parish.
Agents on routine patrol in Terrebonne Parish encountered a local commercial
crabber identified as Dempsey G. Jackson Jr., 39, of Chauvin. During
inspection of the required licenses, agents determined that Jackson did not
possess the required commercial vessel license for the boat. Using a
partial hull identification number and a 2006 state registration validation
decal, agents were able to identify the vessel as having been lost during
Hurricane Katrina.
Agents questioned Jackson how he acquired the vessel, and he claimed to have
purchased the vessel from a FEMA work crew in the Chauvin area after
Hurricane Rita. Jackson was cited for possession of stolen property and
commercial fish without a commercial vessel license.
If convicted of possession of stolen property, Jackson faces the possibility
of imprisonment for up to two years with or without hard labor, or may be
fined up to $2,000 or both. If convicted of possession of commercial fish
without a commercial vessel license, he faces $250-$500 in fines, or jail
time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs.
The vessel in question was seized as evidence and is being held pending
disposition of the case.
Agents participating in the case were Lt. Chuck Comeaux and Sgt. Richard
Purvis.
L.D.W.F. AGENTS MAKE NARCOTICS ARREST IN ST. CHARLES
PARISH
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
arrested a St. John Parish man on March 31 for alleged narcotics violations.
Christopher M. Steele, 23, of Laplace was arrested for allegedly possessing
marijuana with intent to distribute. Steele, who has two prior narcotics
arrests, was booked into the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center.
Agents were patrolling the Bonnet Carre' Spillway when they spotted Steele
in his vehicle blocking the rear boat launch. Upon contact with Steele, the
agents detected a strong odor of marijuana in his vehicle. The agents then
discovered approximately one ounce of a substance the agents suspected was
marijuana, a digital scale and several plastic bags. Steele was arrested
and the substance, scale and bags were seized.
The substance was submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for
analysis. The St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office seized Steele's vehicle,
a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe.
The penalty for a third offense conviction of illegally possessing marijuana
is imprisonment with or without hard labor for up to 20 years. The penalty
for possessing marijuana with intent to distribute is a term of imprisonment
at hard labor between five and 30 years and a fine between $15,000.
Agents participating in the investigation were Sgt. Eddie Skena and Agent
Derek Sampey.
AGENTS CITE TWO ST. BERNARD PARISH MEN FOR DEER VIOLATIONS
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
cited two St. Bernard Parish men on March 17 for alleged deer hunting
violations.
Steven V. Bergeron, 19, and Matthew Martinez, 18, both of St. Bernard, were
each cited for taking deer in a closed area and during a closed season.
Bergeron was additionally cited for taking over the limit of deer because he
allegedly killed both bucks. In addition to the criminal charges, Bergeron
will be assessed civil restitution for two deer that are valued at $524.54
for each deer.
Agents were tipped that Martinez and Bergeron were seen in St. Bernard
Parish transporting two bucks on a four-wheeler during the hunting closure
enacted by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission after Hurricane
Katrina. Flooding and habitat destruction had a negative impact on most
wildlife populations and left surviving animals vulnerable. The closure
prohibited hunting of all small and big game animals in St. Bernard Parish.
Agents began an investigation and located the two sets of deer antlers at a
St. Bernard taxidermy shop. Bergeron and Martinez were questioned and
admitted to killing the deer in St. Bernard Parish with a .270 rifle.
The violations of taking or possessing deer in a closed area and taking or
possessing over the limit of deer carry fines up to $500, or imprisonment up
to 90 days or both. Taking or possessing deer during a closed season
carries a fine up to $999, or imprisonment up to 120 days, or both, and
includes forfeiture of anything seized in connection with the violation.
Agents participating in the investigation were Capt. Brian Clark, Sgt. Scot
Keller, and Sr. Agents Jason Gernados and Roy Pier.
2006 TURKEY BAITING VIOLATIONS
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
have issued citations to 34 people for allegedly hunting turkeys over baited
areas during the 2006 spring gobbler season. The citations have been issued
throughout Louisiana and many were the result of reports by concerned
sportsmen of suspected illegally baited hunting spots.
According to LDWF Enforcement Division Lt. Col. Keith LaCaze, illegal
baiting for turkeys is not a new problem and may even be on the increase.
"We receive numerous reports of illegally baited areas just prior to and
during the early days of the spring gobbler season. For the last few years,
it seems to be more widespread," LaCaze said. "We urge anyone who has any
information about illegal turkey hunting activity to report it by calling
the Louisiana Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-442-2511."
Louisiana law prohibits hunting, trapping or taking turkey by the aid of
baiting, or on or over any baited area. Baiting is the placing, exposing,
depositing, distributing or scattering of corn, wheat or other grain, salt
or other feed so as to constitute for turkeys a lure or attraction to, on,
or over any areas where hunters are attempting to take them. An illegally
baited area shall remain a baited area for 15 days following complete
removal of all the baited materials.
Hunting turkeys over bait is punishable by fines of $250 to $500, or jail
for not more than 90 days, or both plus court costs.
Those cited for hunting turkeys over bait thus far during the 2006 spring
gobbler season are as follows:
Region1: James T. Tuggle, 44, Samuel C. Guthrie, 64, Ronald S. Daniels, 27,
Ronald L. Daniels, 61, Billy J. Rhodes, 44, Troyd Jat DelCambre, 41, Robert
S. Kirkham, 51, Allison Lea Sheffield, 27, Seaborn R. Aycock, 63, and Jeff
M. Davis, 29.
Region 2: Corbit A. Best, 53, Gregory L. Green, 35, and Kenneth D.
Sanderlin, 62.
Region 3: Grover D. Stewart, 57, Grover Stewart, 79, Landry Wingate, 57, and
Obie Wingate, 80.
Region 4: Robert L. Joy, 20, Larkin R. Jackson Jr., 19, and Joseph G. Glass,
66.
Region 6: William T. Toone, 55.
Region 7: Terrell B. Gaines, 34, Christopher L. Pace, 35, Matthew C. Sharp,
41, John P. Doullut, 40, Larry P. Bellard, 58, John G. JeJune, 55, James M.
Viger, 56, Kenny M. Lang, 37, Marvin J. Needham, 63, Richard D. Menard, 67,
Gregory Allison, 58, Joseph G. Belletto, 57, and Carlos Jones, 63. |
