LWAA

WEST BATON ROUGE PARISH NIGHT HUNTERS CAUGHT

On November 19, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement
Division agents cited two men in West Baton Rouge Parish for allegedly
hunting deer and rabbits during illegal hours.

Edwin Bordelon, 72, of Port Allen and Jeremy Armand, 28, of Gonzales were
apprehended after shots were fired in a wooded area under surveillance. A
30-06 rifle, a .22-caliber rifle and a headlight were seized and are being
held as evidence. The subjects were apprehended and cited for hunting deer
during illegal hours and for hunting rabbits during illegal hours.

The penalty for hunting deer during illegal hours is a fine of up to $950,
jail for not more than 120 days, or both, plus court costs. The penalty for
hunting rabbits during illegal hours is a fine of up to $500, jail for not
more than 90 days, or both, plus court costs.

Agents participating in the case were Sergeants Donald Vallet and Brad
Garon, and Senior Agents Cliff Ortis and Channing Duvall.

HUNTER CAUGHT WITH ILLEGAL DEER ON KISATCHIE NATIONAL FOREST

On November 6, agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries cited Benny E. Fredieu, 56, of Shreveport, in Winn Parish for
allegedly killing a doe deer during bucks only season.

Agents questioned Fredieu when he returned to his campsite on Kisatchie
National Forest with fresh blood on his hands and clothing. Fredieu
admitted to killing a doe deer and took the agents to where he had dressed
it in the woods. Agents cited Fredieu for taking an illegal deer during
open season and failure to wear hunter's orange. He was also issued a civil
summons to pay $524.54 to LDWF for the deer. The .270-caliber rifle Fredieu
used to kill the doe deer was seized for evidence.

Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Marcus Constance and Senior Agent
B.J. Shoemaker.

The penalty for taking an illegal deer during open season is a fine of up to
$750, jail for not more than 30 days, or both. Failure to wear hunter's
orange is punishable by a fine of $50, jail for not more than 15 days, or
both.

NIGHT HUNTER NABBED IN WINN PARISH

Agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement
Division cited Royce D. McManus, 38, of Montgomery, on November 3 in Winn
Parish for allegedly killing a deer illegally before dawn.

Agents received a complaint of a deer being killed illegally and found
McManus leaving the area with fresh remains of a doe deer in the back of his
truck. Upon questioning, McManus stated that he had killed the deer the
previous day. As agents prepared to perform forensic tests on the remains
to determine the time of death, McManus admitted that he had killed the deer
around 2:30 a.m. with a .22-caliber rimfire rifle and gave a voluntary
written statement. McManus was then cited for taking a deer during illegal
hours and taking a deer with an illegal weapon. McManus was also issued a
civil summons to pay $524.54 to LDWF for the deer. The rifle and flashlight
were seized for evidence. The deer was seized and donated to charity.

The penalty for hunting deer during illegal hours is a fine of up to $950,
jail for up to 120 days, or both, plus court costs and forfeiture of
anything seized. Taking a deer with an illegal weapon is punishable by a
fine of up to $350, jail for not more than 60 days, or both, plus court
costs.

Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Michael Bonner and Senior Agent
Rusty Perry.

OUACHITA PARISH MAN CITED FOR ILLEGALLY TAKING DEER

On November 8, enforcement agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife
and Fisheries cited Charles J. Spillers II, 27, of West Monroe for taking
deer with an illegal weapon, hunting without a big game license and failure
to wear hunter's orange. The alleged violations occurred in Ouachita
Parish.

Agents responded to a complaint near Avant Road in West Monroe and found
Spillers illegally hunting deer without a big game license and without
wearing the required hunter's orange. It was also determined that Spillers
had allegedly killed a deer in the same location the day before while
squirrel hunting.

The investigation led the agents to Spillers' residence where they examined
the deer and found it had been shot with #4 shot, illegal for hunting deer.
A 12-gauge shotgun and the deer were seized. The deer was donated to
charity.

Taking deer with an illegal weapon carries a penalty of up to $350, jail for
not more than 60 days, or both plus, court costs. The penalty for failure to
wear hunter's orange and hunting without a big game license is a fine of $50
each. Spillers was also issued a civil citation for the restitution value
of the deer.

Agents participating were Lt. Mike Rockett and Sgt. Lane Kincaid.

OUACHITA PARISH MAN CITED FOR TAKING OVER LIMIT OF DEER

On November 6, Michel A. Fandal, 42, of West Monroe was cited for taking
over the limit of deer and failing to maintain positive sex identification.
Enforcement agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
entered a camp located west of Farmerville in Union Parish and found two
deer dressed and quartered in an ice chest. Proof of sex of the animals had
been removed.

During the investigation, Fandal arrived at the camp with a freshly killed
doe deer in his truck. During questioning, Fandal allegedly admitted that
he had taken a spike buck and a doe on a morning hunt and had taken a doe on
the afternoon hunt. Fandal's rifle and the three deer were seized as
evidence. The deer were donated to charity.

Taking over the limit of deer and failing to maintain sex identification are
both punishable by fines of up to $500, jail for not more than 90 days, or
both, plus court costs. Fandal was also issued three civil citations for
the restitution value of the deer.

Agents participating in the case were Lt. Mike Rockett, Sgt. Duane Taylor
and Agent Mike Jeter.

LOUISIANA SHRIMPERS RECEIVE ADDITIONAL TEMPORARY TED EXEMPTION

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has granted shrimp trawlers an
additional temporary 30-day exemption from federal Turtle Excluder Device
(TED) requirements in a portion of Louisiana waters. Shrimp trawlers fishing
in Louisiana inside and outside territorial waters from the Mississippi -
Louisiana state line to a line west of Grand Isle at longitude 90 degrees,
03 minutes and 00 seconds W are exempt from federal TED requirements
provided they comply with seasonal tow-time restrictions established by
NMFS. The exemption does not apply to federal waters within the Exclusive
Economic Zone (EEZ).

Maximum tow time restrictions of 75 minutes measured from the time trawl
doors enter the water until they are retrieved from the water will be in
effect from November 26 until 11:59 p.m. December 26, 2004. This exemption
from federal TED requirements will expire on December 26, 2004 unless
otherwise extended by NMFS. Federal regulations provide for the use of
limited tow times as an alternative to the use of TEDs if determined "that
the presence of debris or other special environmental conditions in a
particular area makes trawling with TED-equipped nets impracticable."

This action follows an earlier 30-day TED exemption that expired on November
11, 2004. Citing continued impacts to shrimpers resulting from the passage
of Hurricane Ivan and its return as Tropical Storm Ivan, Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Dwight Landreneau requested NMFS consider
this extension.

Louisiana shrimp fishermen and LDWF marine fisheries biologists have
reported the continued presence of large amounts of storm related debris
throughout the impacted area. This debris primarily consists of vegetative
materials such as Spartina, Roseau cane, mangrove branches, and large rooted
clumps of Spartina. The debris has severely impacted both shrimp catch and
TED performance and has damaged fishing gear as well.

Shrimpers are reminded that the fall shrimp season in Louisiana inside
waters except for that portion of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds as described
in the menhaden rule (LAC:76.VII.307.D) will close at official sunset
December 21, 2004 unless biological data indicate a need to extend the
shrimp season.

GOLFERS GLAD TO SEE WILDLIFE AGENT

Early morning golfers at Magnolia Creek Golf Course in Ethel were glad to
see Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Agent Joseph
Moreau when he arrived on October 2, 2004.

While patrolling in the area, Moreau heard several gunshots that morning. He
tracked the location of the shots to the golf course. Several golfers met
him and told him that someone was riding around the greens in a truck,
allegedly shooting squirrels from the window of the vehicle.

Agent Moreau located the vehicle and watched as someone pointed a gun out of
the window and shot into a tree line along the golf course. Moreau made
contact with the driver of the vehicle, Donald E. Corey, Jr., 18, of Ethel,
who admitted shooting squirrels from the vehicle on the golf course.

Corey was issued citations for hunting from a moving vehicle and hunting
without a residence license.

If convicted for hunting from a moving vehicle, Corey faces a fine of up to
$500, jail for not more than 90 days, or both, plus court cost. The penalty
for hunting without a resident license is a $50 fine, jail for not more than
15 days, or both.

Corey is scheduled for arraignment on November 9 before the 20th Judicial
District Court in Clinton.

CHALMETTE MAN CITED FOR OVER LIMIT OF COOTS

On November 13, agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
Enforcement Division cited Eric Sartalamacchia, 24, of Chalmette for
allegedly possessing over the daily bag limit of coots.

Sartalamacchia was checked after a solo hunt on opening day of the waterfowl
season in St. Bernard Parish, which lies in the west zone. He was in
possession of 28 freshly killed coots. The daily take and field possession
limit for coots is 15 per person. The coots were seized and Sartalamaccia
was issued a citation for the federal violation.

Violations of the Migratory Game Bird Treaty Act are punishable by fines up
to $5,000, jail for up to six months, or both. The citation will be
forwarded through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for prosecution by the
office of U.S. Attorney Jim Letten in New Orleans.

Participating in the case were LDWF Sergeant Scot Keller and Senior Agent
Kris Bourgeois.

WILDLIFE ENFORCEMENT AGENTS TEAM WITH D.U. FOR YOUTH DAY

Enforcement agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
teamed with the Westlake Ducks Unlimited Chapter, Hackberry Rod and Gun Club
and Black Bayou Retriever Kennels to sponsor a "Greenwing Day" on November
6. The event was held at the Hackberry Rod and Gun lodge in Hackberry.

"Greenwings" are youth members of Ducks Unlimited. This is a yearly event
which features an afternoon filled with instruction and demonstrations on
outdoor activities such as duck calling, gun safety, pellet rifle shooting,
retriever training, casting demonstrations, boating safety, and duck
identification.

Members of the various sponsoring organization provided items for goodie
bags for all participants. Every child that attended the event was given a
complimentary one-year Greenwing Membership to Ducks Unlimited. There were
door prizes awarded to lucky individuals including several knives donated by
Jerry's Marine in Sulphur.

The afternoon involved nearly 60 young hunters and many of their parents.
Refreshments were served and all of those in attendance came away with a
better understanding of wildlife, the outdoors, and the sport of hunting
waterfowl.

HUNTERS ASKED TO LOOK OUT FOR BEAR

A mother bear and her cub that were relocated as part of the Louisiana Black
Bear Relocation Program to the Lake Ophelia National Wildlife Refuge in
March 2004, chose instead to reside on Boeuf Wildlife Management Area. The
WMA will be open for either-sex deer hunting the weekend of November 26-27,
and hunters are asked to be on the lookout for the bear and her cub.

Maria Davidson, LDWF Biologist Manager, said hunters doing advanced scouting
recently sighted the bear. High waters that will concentrate wildlife and
hunters on the area this weekend may enhance the possibility of an
encounter. Davidson advised that the bear is non-aggressive, but care
should be taken. She also mentioned concern for the bear's safety. Hunters
are reminded that taking a bear is illegal and punishable by fines of up to
$950, jail for up to 120 days, or both, plus court costs and forfeiture of
anything seized in connection with the crime.

Boeuf WMA is located in Caldwell Parish. It encompasses 48,596 acres and is
owned and managed by LDWF.

WINNSBORO MAN ARRESTED FOR TRAFFICKING OF DEER MEAT AND GAME FISH

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Agents served a
warrant and arrested Robert L. Brown, 63, of Winnsboro for alleged
violations involving the trafficking of game fish and deer meat. The
October 18 arrest was the result of a six-month investigation involving
undercover wildlife agents. Agents began an investigation into Brown's
illegal activities after receiving information that he was buying fish and
wild game, and then transporting them across state lines to be sold.

Brown was booked into the Franklin Parish Detention Center after being
arrested for two counts of buying or selling game fish, two counts of buying
or selling fish without a license, four counts of failure to maintain
records, and two counts of buying or selling deer or deer meat.

Buying or selling game fish is punishable by a fine of up to $500, jail for
not more than 60 days, or both, plus court costs. Buying or selling fish
without a license carries a fine of up to $500, jail not more than 90 days,
or both, plus court costs. Failure to maintain records is punishable by a
fine of up to $500, jail not over 90 days, or both, plus court costs.
Buying or selling deer or deer meat carries a penalty of up to $750, jail
for not greater than 120 days, or both, plus court costs.

Involved in the arrest were Capt. Johnny Ferrington, Lt. John Rhodes, Sgt.
Gene Wilson, Senior Agent Scott Watson, and Franklin Parish Sheriff's
Deputies Brian Linder and Michael Wilson.

DUBACH MAN SENTENCED FOR OVER LIMIT OF DOVES

On November 10, Clenard L. Dumas, 55, of Dubach, appeared before U.S.
Magistrate Roy Payne in U.S. Magistrate Court for the Western District of
Louisiana in Shreveport, and entered a plea of guilty to possessing over the
limit of doves. He was cited on September 4 in Bossier Parish after
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement agents observed
him take 26 doves; that is 14 more than the legal limit.

Magistrate Payne sentenced Dumas to pay a fine of $750, plus a $10 special
assessment fee. Dumas was also placed on active probation for five years
and his hunting privileges revoked worldwide for that period of time.

Agents participating in the case were Sergeant Roy Schufft, and Senior Agent
Jason Clinton.

L.D.W.F. ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS WITHIN ENFORCEMENT DIVISION

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Dwight Landreneau
and Enforcement Division Administrator Colonel Winton Vidrine have announced
the promotion of two staff law enforcement professionals to the rank of
lieutenant colonel.

Majors Keith LaCaze and Brian Spillman, both of whom work out of the
department's headquarters in Baton Rouge, have assumed new responsibilities
effective this month.

Lt. Colonel LaCaze's responsibilities will now include statewide supervision
of field operations, Homeland Security, coordination of the Operation Game
Thief program, Enforcement Division public information and the Oyster Strike
Force.

A 27-year veteran of the Enforcement Division, LaCaze previously served as
the supervisor of Enforcement regions 1,2,3,4 and 7 and the Oyster Strike
Force.

LaCaze graduated from Holy Savior Menard High School in Alexandria and
attended LSU at Alexandria, joining the Enforcement Division in 1977 as a
wildlife enforcement agent. Promoted to sergeant in 1985 and captain in
1990, LaCaze attained the rank of major in 1996. He was recognized as Agent
of the Year in Region 3 in 1985, holds a master SCUBA diver certification
and is a member of the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association. LaCaze writes
the "Law Lines" column in the Louisiana Conservationist Magazine. An avid
outdoorsman, the Alexandria native has a son and a daughter.

Lt. Colonel Spillman will serve as the department's Boating Law
Administrator. Other administrative duties will include supervision of the
department's aviation unit, the law enforcement training section, budget
management and specialized enforcement units.

Spillman graduated from Wilkinson Academy in Woodville, MS and attended
Southwest Mississippi Community College. After joining the department as an
enforcement agent in 1981, he served 12 years in the field, progressing to
the rank of senior agent. In 1992 he was promoted to lieutenant and began
his administrative career as a fleet/budget officer. He was promoted to
captain in 1994 and attained the rank of major in 1997, overseeing the
enforcement division budget, fleet and purchasing activities. In 1985 he
was named Agent of the Year for Region 7 and is a 1986 graduate of the LSU
Law Enforcement Institute.

Spillman resides in West Feliciana Parish with his wife and four children
and enjoys hunting and fishing, coaching youth sports and golf.

"We are fortunate to have two very capable administrators to lead the
division in the years ahead," Colonel Vidrine said. "Brian and Keith have
extensive experience in areas critical to the mission this agency serves and
will work together well in coordinating those efforts."

NOTICE OF INTENT TO ALLOW TAKING OF EXOTICS ACCEPTED

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission voted to accept a notice of

intent to expand the taking of certain exotic fish in Louisiana waters.

Commercial fishermen can already harvest exotic species of fish caught in

the wild with most commercial gears. However, shad gill nets can only be

used to harvest shad and skipjack herring. Mullet strike nets can only be

used to harvest mullet. The proposed notice of intent will allow commercial

fishermen to harvest designated exotic fish, as bycatch, when using these

nets to capture target species. The vote was unanimous at the commission's

November 4 meeting.

Gary Tilyou, Assistant Division Administrator for the Inland Fisheries

Division of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, presented

the notice to the commission. According to Tilyou, this move is one step in

addressing the invasive and potentially damaging species. The species

covered in the notice of intent are grass, silver, bighead and black carp.

The notice of intent will be subjected to a 120-day public comment period,

at which time the commission will vote on its ratification.

LITTERING VIOLATIONS FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER

The Chief of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Law Enforcement Division,

Colonel Winton Vidrine announced 26 individuals charged for alleged

violations of the state's intentional littering laws and one individual

charged for alleged violation of the state's gross littering law for the

month of September 2004. The following is a list of alleged violators,

their age, place of residence and the parish in which they were charged.

Eugene L. Baker, 64, of Arabi, in St. Tammany Parish;

Eugene L. Bordelon Jr., 48, of Marksville, in Lasalle Parish;

Ashley R. Burnett, 20, of Deridder, in Beauregard Parish;

William Carr, 49, of Lutcher, in St. James Parish;

Alice C. Gautreaux, 49, of Houma, in Terrebonne Parish;

Brandi L. Gill, 19, of Deridder, in Beauregard Parish;

Clayton Patrick Gray, 47, of Sulphur, in Vernon Parish;

William Vance Greer, 19, of West Monroe, in Union Parish;

Catherine D. Hargrove, 34, of Alexandria, in Lasalle Parish;

Christopher M. Henningsen, 19, of Hammond, in Tangipahoa Parish;

Michael Allen Huddleston, 25, of Plain Dealing, in Webster Parish;

Cedric Maurice Johnson, 38, of Bastrop, in Morehouse Parish;

Wilbert E. Landry, 75, of Pierre Part, in St. Martin Parish;

Marty Gerard Louque, 20, of Paulina, in St. James Parish;

Ronald L. Moore, 47, of Arcadia, in Claiborne Parish;

Hunter R. Mullikin, 48, of Natchitoches, in Natchitoches Parish;

Myrtle Michelle Pugh, 37, of Lafayette, in Lafayette Parish;

Moises J. Rodriguez, 57, of Chalmette, in St. Bernard Parish;

Conrad Joseph Rousseau, 32, of Leesville, in Vernon Parish;

Tamala Bullions Rye, 37, of Alexandria, in Lasalle Parish;

Jay Demerio Scott, 31, of Alexandria, in Lasalle Parish;

Emmanuel Trotter, 56, of Picayune, Miss., in St. Tammany Parish;

Chi Truong, 49, of New Iberia, in Iberia Parish;

Jessie Ray Vaughn Jr., 35, of Lecompte, in Lasalle Parish;

Terrel James Williams, 16, of Albany, in St. John Parish;

and Esau Williams Jr., 36, of Alexandria, in Lasalle.

Andrew Steve Borosh, 49, of Hammond, was charged with Gross Littering

inTangipahoa Parish.

SHRIMP TRADE ACTION ADVISORY COUNCIL TO MEET

The Louisiana Wild Caught Shrimp Trade Action Advisory Council will meet

Wednesday, November 17, at 10 a.m. in the Louisiana Room at the Department

of Wildlife and Fisheries building in Baton Rouge. In an effort to assist

trade action efforts targeting the illegal dumping of foreign shrimp into

U.S. markets, Governor Kathleen Blanco has issued Executive Order KBB

2004-05 which reestablished the Louisiana Wild Caught Shrimp Trade Action

Advisory Council. The Council's duties include supporting and assisting a trade

action brought by a consolidated wild caught shrimp industry, exploring and

developing funding sources and mechanisms to assist and support such trade action,

and recommending proposed legislation to fund the trade action.

Council members are appointed by the Governor and include shrimp industry

representatives, state legislators and representatives from the Governor's

Office and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

According to Council Chairman John Roussel, Assistant Secretary of the

LDWF, the wild caught shrimp industry is an integral part of Louisiana's

history and culture as well as a major component of the state's economy

providing employment and tax revenue to the state. Louisiana commercial shrimp

landings totaled 126.2 million pounds (heads-on weight) and had a

dockside value of approximately $136.4 million in 2003.

SEAFOOD DEALER SENTENCED FOR FEDERAL VIOLATIONS

U. S. Attorney Jim Letten, Acting Special Agent in charge of NOAA Fisheries

Dave McKinney, and Colonel Winton Vidrine of the Louisiana Department of

Wildlife and Fisheries announced on October 27, that U. S. District Judge

Helen G. Berigan handed down sentencing for Chinatown Seafood Company,

L.L.C. The seafood dealer was ordered to pay a $50,000 fine and to serve a

five-year term of probation for illegally selling shrimp in interstate

commerce. The illegal sales are violations of the Lacey Act, Title 16,

United States Code, Sections 3372 and 3373.

Chinatown Seafood Company, L.L.C. had previously pled guilty to selling more

than 3,000 pounds of dried shrimp in interstate commerce in violation of

federal law. At the time of the shrimp sales charged in the bill of

information, Chinatown Seafood Company, L.L.C. did not have a valid

Louisiana seafood wholesaler's license as required by Louisiana law.

The owner of Chinatown Seafood Company, L.L.C., Robert J. Collins Jr., 45 of

Grand Isle, was previously convicted of Lacey Act violations involving the

interstate shipment of red snapper during closed season.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the National Marine

Fisheries Service investigated the case. Assistant U. S. Attorney Billy

Gibbens prosecuted the case.

Participating in the investigation were Sgt. Jay Diez, Sr. Agent Billy

Gomillion, Sr. Agent Buck Hampton and Special Agent Steve Campbell with

NOAA Office of Enforcement.

THREE BELLE CHASSE MEN PLEAD GUILTY TO NIGHT HUNTING

On October 27, Michael Fountain, 20, Scott Vicknair, 19, and Steven

Vicknair, 20, all of Belle Chasse, pled guilty to several hunting violations

before Judge Marilyn Lambert of the 23rd Judicial District Court in

Ascension Parish. The violations stemmed from a night hunting incident

on November 5, 2003 in Ascension Parish.

The men pled guilty to taking deer during illegal hours, hunting from a

moving vehicle, taking deer by illegal methods, criminal trespassing and

unauthorized use of a movable. The violations occurred during a night

hunting spree in which the trio killed one doe, two bucks, and a spotted

fawn from a moving vehicle.

Judge Lambert sentenced each of the three to six months in jail, suspended

the jail time and placed them on one year of supervised probation. They were

also ordered to perform 50 hours of community service, pay a fine of $1,000

and have their hunting rights suspended for one year. Judge Lambert ordered

the forfeiture of all hunting equipment seized in connection with the

violations, including a rifle, knives and an ice chest. . The three men also

face civil restitution for the value of the four deer, assessed at $524.00

per deer.

Assistant District Attorney Richard Johnson prosecuted the case for the

state. Agents participating in the case were Captain Brian Clark; Lieutenants

Robert Martin and Allen Adam; Sergeant Rachel Zechenelly; and Senior

Agents Kris Bourgeois, Jason Russo, Jason Gernados, Roy Pier, and Villere

Reggio.

THEFT RING UNCOVERED BY ENFORCEMENT AGENTS

The October 9 arrest of Gregory J. Fontenot, 18, of Mamou by enforcement

agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries led to a

joint investigation with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office and the

arrests of three other men for possession of stolen property.

While issuing Fontenot a citation for allegedly discharging a rifle from

Wagon Trail Road, the agents noticed the serial number had been ground

off the firearm. Fontenot was then arrested for allegedly possessing an

unidentifiable firearm. The Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office was

notified about the rifle. The ensuing investigation resulted in the arrests of

three men and the recovery of 11 stolen firearms, two 2-way radios, two

compound bows with associated equipment, a 25-inch color television, a DVD

player and a VCR unit. The total value of the stolen property was about $9,150,

according to the sheriff's office.

Brandon Lee Ray, 18, of Mamou and Jonathan West, 19, of Baton Rouge were

arrested and charged with theft and burglary. Dwayne Dupre, 36, of Mamou was

arrested and charged with possession of stolen goods.

The penalty for theft when the misappropriation amounts to more than $500 is

a fine of not more than $3,000, imprisonment for not more than 10 years with

or without hard labor, or both. The penalty for simple burglary is a fine of

not more than $2,000, imprisonment with or without hard labor for not more

than 12 years, or both.

The penalty for possession of an unidentifiable firearm is a fine of not

more than $1,000, imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. The

penalty for discharging a firearm from a public road is $50, jail for not

more than 30 days, or both.

Participating in the case were Wildlife Enforcement Sergeant Chris Cormier,

Senior Agent Scott Fontenot, Senior Agent Steve Vidrine, U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service Special Agent Flip Siragusa, and Evangeline Parish

Sheriff's Detective Keith Dupre.

TENSAS PARISH FISH SHOCKER SENTENCED IN DISTRICT COURT

On the morning of August 14, Thomas Oran Cockerham Jr., 46 of Ferriday

was arrested by enforcement agents from the Louisiana Department of

Wildlife and Fisheries for taking fish illegally. Cockerham was arrested after

agents witnessed him using a shocking device to take catfish from the

Mississippi River.

On October 21, Cockerham went before Sixth Judicial District Court Judge

John D. Crigler with Assistant District Attorney James E. Paxton

representing the state. Cockerham entered a plea of guilty to the charge of

taking fish illegally. He was ordered to pay a fine of $1028, plus $104.50

in court costs, $100 for cost of prosecution, and $7 in clerk fees. In

addition, Cockerham was sentenced to a six-month jail sentence, which was

suspended. He was placed on supervised probation for 18 months with a $30

per month supervision fee and the provision that his hunting and fishing

privileges be suspended for 120 days.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Agents who

participated in this case were Lt. John Rhodes, Sergeants Larry May and

Gene Wilson, and Sr. Agent Joe Chandler Jr.

ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE HARVEST LIMITED

The alligator snapping turtle, or loggerhead, once a common site in

Louisiana markets, can no longer be trapped for commercial sale. Louisiana

Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Dwight Landreneau has signed

a regulation that not only bans commercial harvest, but limits personal take

of the turtles to one-per-day per boat or vehicle.

America's largest freshwater turtle was once processed by the thousands each

year in Louisiana, ending up in turtle soups and gumbos. Although that

market had waned during the 1980s, biologists were concerned that loggerhead

populations and their habitat were decreased. In response, LDWF placed

commercial size and recreational take limits on the turtles in 1993.

To determine population levels, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service funded a

five-year study in which two Louisiana trappers caught, tagged and released

nearly 550 alligator snappers. Those results, as well as numbers trapped in

other states, satisfied the Fish and Wildlife Service that the turtles did

not require Federal regulation.

By 1998 Louisiana was the only state that allowed commercial harvest of

alligator snapping turtles. Concern about the harvest led Senator Robert

Barham to ask the Louisiana Legislature for a moratorium. That moratorium

will take effect on November 20, after which the alligator snapper cannot be

taken from the wild for commerce, and the sale of the turtles, their meat,

shells and other parts will be prohibited. However, licensed turtle farmers

will still be allowed to sell alligator snappers that hatch from their

breeding stock, and Louisiana residents can still satisfy their culinary

desires and traditions by doing their own trapping.

L.D.W.F. ENFORCEMENT AGENTS ATTEND BOATING ACCIDENT
INVESTIGATION COURSE

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division

recently sent six of its agents to Ashburn, Virginia where they attended and

graduated the Advanced National Boating Accident Investigation and Analysis

Course sponsored by the National Association of State Boating Law

Administrators (NASBLA) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

The course was held at the newly constructed National Transportation and

Safety Board (NTSB) academy and consisted of workshops involving Collision

Examinations, Exhaust/Ventilation Systems Defects, New Technology, Control

Systems Defects and Damage Assessments, among others.

The LDWF agents worked side by side with other marine accident investigators

from across the United States and Canada. The course instructors consisted

of NASBLA, UL, NTSB and the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC). The six

agents spent in excess of 40 hours of hands on reconstruction and analysis

of mock boat accidents and on their final day they prepared a complete

accident investigation package, which counted toward their overall score.

The graduating agents were: Sgt. Lane Kincaid of Lincoln Parish, Sgt. Davis

Madere of St. John Parish, Senior Agent Darryl Galloway of St. Tammany

Parish, Senior Agent Mike Garrity of St. Bernard Parish, Senior Agent David

Nunez of Jefferson Parish and Senior Agent Brad Guidroz of St. Landry

Parish.

HUNTERS TAGGED WITH D.M.A.P. AND LADT VIOLATIONS

Two hunters were recently cited in separate cases by Louisiana Department of

Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division Sgt. David McAlpin for allegedly

violating DMAP and LADT regulations in Natchitoches Parish.

James E. Sturm, 28, of Leesville, was cited on October 23 after Sgt. McAlpin

found him to be in possession of an untagged button buck that had been

killed on Po' Folks Hunting Club. The hunting club's land is enrolled in the

Landowner Antlerless Deer Tag (LADT) program. Sturm was cited for

possession of an illegally taken deer and failure to abide by commission

rules. He was also issued a civil summons to pay $524.50 in restitution to

LDWF for the deer. The hunting club was dropped from the LADT program,

and the antlerless tags issued to them were seized. The deer was also

seized and later donated.

Halstead B. Ayrton III, 44, of DeRidder, was cited on October 25 after Sgt.

McAlpin found him in possession of an untagged doe deer that had been

killed on Cypress Hunting Club, which is enrolled in the Deer Management

Assistance Program (DMAP). Sgt. McAlpin also found that the deer had been shot

with a .308 caliber rifle, when the only legal method to hunt deer in this

area at this time was by archery or muzzleloader. Ayrton was cited for taking

deer by illegal method, possession of an illegally taken deer, and failure to

abide by commission rules. He was also issued a civil summons to pay

$524.50 in restitution to LDWF for the deer. The hunting club was dropped

from the DMAP program and the antlerless tags issued to them were seized,

pending an administrative hearing by LDWF to determine continued DMAP

participation by the remaining club members. The deer was also seized and

later donated.

The penalty for possession of an illegally taken deer is a fine of $400 to

$750, jail for not more than 120 days, or both, plus court costs and

forfeiture of anything seized. Hunting a deer by illegal methods is

punishable by a fine of $250 to $500, jail for not more than 90 days, or

both, plus court costs. The penalty for failure to abide by commission

rules is a fine of $150 to $350, jail for not more than 60 days, or both,

plus court costs.

HUNTER BAGGED ON BOISE VERNON W.M.A. WITH OVER LIMIT OF DEER

Clinton R. Fontenot, 28, of Iowa, was cited on October 30, by agents from

the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in Vernon Parish for

allegedly taking over the limit of deer on Boise Vernon Wildlife Management

Area.

Fontenot was cited after Sgt. Bill Tyree and Senior Agent Joe Dewil found

him to be in possession of two doe deer on the WMA. Fontenot admitted that

he had shot both deer. He was then cited for taking over the limit of deer

and possession of an illegally taken deer. He was also issued a civil

summons to pay $524.50 in restitution to the Louisiana Department of

Wildlife and Fisheries for one of the deer. Both deer were seized and later

donated to charity. Fontenot's rifle was also seized in the case.

The penalty for possession of an illegally taken deer is a fine of $400 to

$750, jail for not more than 120 days, or both, plus court costs and

forfeiture of anything seized. Taking over the limit of deer is punishable

by a fine of $250 to $500, jail for not more than 90 days, or both plus

court costs.

OLLA MAN CITED FOR POSSESSION OF OVER LIMIT OF DEER

On November 6, enforcement agents from the Louisiana Department of

Wildlife and Fisheries cited Richard W. Miniard, 41, of Olla, for allegedly

possessing over limit of deer.

Agent Brandon Miller received information that Miniard had killed two buck

deer on the same morning. Agents were able to locate Miniard and found him

to be in possession of two spike bucks. Miniard stated that he had killed

both of the deer earlier that day. The daily limit for deer on private land

is one antlered and one antlerless deer per day.

Taking or possession of over limit of deer carries a fine of $250 to $500,

jail not more than 90 days, or both, plus court costs. Miniard was also

issued a civil citation for the restitution value of the deer.

Agents participating in the case along with Miller were Lt. Kenneth

Hedricks, and Senior Agent Jim Matkin.

BATON ROUGE SEAFOOD DEALER SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS

Alan P. Porche, 42, of Baton Rouge, manager of Gulf Island Shrimp and

Seafood LLC., and previous owner of Big River Seafood Inc., was arrested on

September 17, 2003 by enforcement agents from the Louisiana Department

of Wildlife and Fisheries for obstruction of justice, conspiracy to obstruct

justice, money laundering, forgery, filing/maintaining false public records,

injuring public records, felony theft, purchasing fish from recreational

fishermen, illegally selling recreationally caught fish, failing to maintain

records, failure to report commercial fishery information and violating

commission rules and regulations.

On November 4, 2004, Porche pled guilty to three felony counts: obstruction

of justice, theft, and filing false public records. Nineteenth Judicial

District Court Judge Michael Erwin sentenced Porche to jail for a period of

10 years as to count one, as to count two, five years to run consecutive to

count one, and as to count three, five years to run consecutive to counts

one and two at hard labor.

Porche was given credit for time served as a result of his arrest for

obstruction of justice. Judge Erwin suspended the execution of the sentence

and placed Porche on active, supervised probation for a period of five

years. In addition to the general terms and conditions of probation, the

court imposed as special conditions of probation that the accused is

required to pay $50 per month to the Department of Public Safety and

Corrections, Division of Probation and Parole; be involved in no criminal

conduct; not have any type of license to deal with fish (sell or buy); pay a

fine of $3,000 to LDWF; and submit to random drug screens at his own

expense and at the direction of the probation officer. Violation of any terms

of probation will result in execution of a 20-year term of imprisonment.

Porche also paid additional restitution to LDWF in the amount of $4,356.02.

The offenses against Alan P. Porche to date resulted from an elaborate

scheme of fraudulent financial transactions involving proceeds derived

from illegally purchasing red snapper, cobia, reef fish and other state/federal

cooperatively managed fish caught and sold by recreational fishermen.

Proceeds in the scheme were derived from committing forgery and false

records designed to generate money, conceal and disguise the nature and

source of the purchases and avoid reporting requirements that provide

management guidelines to conserve the resources. Also charged in connection

with the alleged offenses were four recreational fishermen whose cases are still pending.

LDWF Enforcement Division Administrator Colonel Winton Vidrine said, "This

case identifies activity which cannot be tolerated if we are to conserve our

fisheries resources for future generations. This case highlights the

positive impact state and federal partnerships have when teamed together to

achieve a common goal." Vidrine added, "Hopefully the aggressive prosecution

and adjudication will send a message and deter these types of activities

which negatively effect our resources and their legal use."

Assistant District Attorney, David Caldwell of the 19th Judicial District,

prosecuted the case. Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Jay Diez,

Sr. Agents Billy Gomillion, Buck Hampton, Joel Cromp and NOAA Enforcement

Special Agent Steve Campbell.