LWAA

Judge Joel Davis sentenced David Beauchemin, 43, to two years of jail with one year suspended and a $1,000 fine that must be paid within 60 days of being released from prison or he will serve the suspended year of jail. Beauchemin will receive credit for time served since May and was booked into the Allen Parish Jail. Beauchemin pleaded guilty to aggravated and simple cruelty to animals.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited David Beauchemin and his wife Tawni Beauchemin, 23, on March 20, 2010, for cruelty to animals and failing to have permits for constrictor snakes over 12 feet.

The Allen Parish Sheriff's Office (APSO) executed a search warrant at the Beauchemin's residence on March 19. The search warrant was issued after the APSO received a public complaint alleging the Beauchemin's were illegally selling animals on the Internet. The Beauchemin's residence was portrayed as a safe haven animal shelter. After executing the search warrant, the APSO contacted LDWF about the pythons found in the residence.

The snakes were seized by LDWF agents and then forfeited to the state following the guilty plea. LDWF found a suitable place for the snakes at the Glade Herps Farm located in Bushnell, Fla. during the criminal trial period. Following the forfeiture, LDWF has agreed to let the Glade Herps Farm become the permanent owners of the snakes.

On Sept. 2, 2010, David Beauchemin failed to appear in Allen Parish Court for arraignment and a bench warrant was issued. In April 2011, David Beauchemin was arrested in Texas and found to be in possession of numerous constrictor snakes after a traffic stop. David Beauchemin was extradited to Allen Parish in May 2011.

Tawni Beauchemin, was originally charged along with her husband and still has outstanding warrants, but her whereabouts are unknown and she currently has the status of a fugitive.

The public complaint was issued after somebody gave the Beauchemin's a dog for safe haven only to find it listed on the Internet a few days later for sale.

Plaquemine Man Arrested on Felony Violations

Louisiana Department Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents arrested a Plaquemine man on alleged forgery charges on Oct. 14.

LDWF Special Investigation Unit (SIU) agents arrested John Boudreaux, 51, on felony charges of forgery, injuring public records and filing false public documents and booked him into the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail.

Agents started the investigation in September of 2011 after receiving a tip from an alligator hunter about a man illegally acquiring alligator tags from the department. Agents found that Boudreaux forged signatures on alligator tag applications in order to obtain the rights to hunt alligators on land that he did not have permission.

According to LDWF records, Boudreaux illegally obtained 150 tags and harvested 149 alligators in West Baton Rouge and Iberville parishes since 2001.

An alligator hunter must either own land or have permission to hunt alligators on land that is classified as wetland habitat in order to qualify for alligator harvest tags. LDWF issues harvest tags for property containing sufficient alligator habitat capable of sustaining an alligator harvest. Wild alligator tags can only be issued to licensed alligator hunters and are nontransferable.

Injuring and filing false records brings up to a $5,000 fine and up to five years in jail with or without hard labor for each count. Forgery carries a $5,000 fine and up to 10 years in jail with or without hard labor.

Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Ronnie Hebert, Sgt. Dusty Rhodes and Senior Agents Jerry Stassi, Louis Burnett and Ladd Turner.

Louisiana Operation Game Thief, Inc. Issues Over $6,500 In Rewards To Tipsters

Louisiana Operation Game Thief, Inc. (LOGT), a Louisiana wildlife crime-stoppers program, awarded $6,500 to diligent citizens statewide at their quarterly meeting on Oct. 5 in Mansura.

The group approved and dispensed cash reward amounts for tipsters who reported wildlife violations that led to 26 subjects being apprehended in wildlife cases. There were a total of 14 cases presented and 50 offenses associated with those cases.

Louisiana Department Wildlife Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement LOGT Coordinator Sgt. Will Roberts provided LOGT members with information on each case and a recommendation for reward amounts.

“We depend on Operation Game Thief and these public tips to help break a lot of cases that might have otherwise gone unsolved,” Roberts said. “Perfect examples of the public helping us get convictions are in the recent black bear and bald eagle cases. The public contributed information that led to guilty pleas in both instances.”

LOGT awarded the two black bear tipsters a total of $800 and the bald eagle informant the maximum reward of $1,000. Cory Ronsonet, 39, of New Iberia pleaded guilty for illegally taking a Louisiana black bear in federal court on Aug. 17. Jeffrey Miles, 22, of West Monroe, pleaded guilty for violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act in federal court on Sept. 19 for shooting a bald eagle.

Anyone wishing to report wildlife or fisheries violations should anonymously call LDWF’s 24-hour toll free Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-442-2511 or utilize LDWF's new tip411 program. To use the tip411 program, citizens can anonymously text LADWF and their tip to 847411 or download the "LADWF Tips" iPhone app from the Apple iTunes store free of charge. CitizenObserver, the tip411 provider, uses technology that removes all identifying information before LDWF receives the text so that LDWF cannot identify the sender.

LOGT was instituted in 1984 and provides cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of violators of fish and wildlife regulations. Funds are raised through private donations, court directed contributions and through contributions from cooperative endeavor agreements with organizations such as the National Wild Turkey Federation and Quality Deer Management Association.

To make a donation to the LOGT that can be used for cash rewards, please contact Sgt. Will Roberts at wroberts@wlf.la.gov.

LOGT meets quarterly throughout the year to review cases and dispense rewards.

Two Whooping Cranes Found Dead in Jefferson Davis Parish

LDWF Enforcement Division Identifies Two Juveniles as Suspects in Shooting

Oct. 11, 2011 -- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents have identified two juveniles for their alleged role in the illegal shooting of two whooping cranes in Jefferson Davis Parish.

According to an eyewitness account, two juveniles stopped on Lyons Road in between Mouton and Guidry roads south of Jennings at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 9. The eyewitness said they shot from their truck and killed two whooping cranes.

LDWF agents and biologists were notified yesterday morning, Oct. 10, and retrieved the dead birds, which were a part of LDWF's whooping crane reintroduction program. Agents were able to locate the suspected juveniles Monday night based on information from the eyewitness account.

"Losing two cranes, especially in such a thoughtless manner, is a huge setback in the department’s efforts to re-establish a whooping crane population in Louisiana,” said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham. “We take this careless crime very seriously.”

LDWF received 10 whooping cranes in February of this year from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Research Facility in Laurel, Md., and placed them in the coastal marsh of Vermilion Parish within LDWF’s White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area (WCA). This re-introduced population, which will be annually supplemented with future cohorts, marked the first presence of whooping cranes in the wild in Louisiana since 1950.

LDWF is working cooperatively with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), USGS, the International Crane Foundation and the Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit to bring the species back to the state. This non-migratory flock of whooping cranes is designated as a non-essential, experimental population and is protected under state law and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

"This is a profound setback to the many people and organizations who have worked so hard to bring this magnificent bird back to Louisiana," said Cindy Dohner, Southeast Regional Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Whooping cranes, the most endangered of all of the world’s crane species, were first added to the federal status of an endangered species on March 11, 1967. The reintroduction at White Lake WCA is part of an ongoing recovery effort coordinated by the USFWS.

Historically, both a resident and migratory population of whooping cranes were present in Louisiana through the early 1940s. Whooping cranes inhabited the marshes and ridges of the state’s southwest Chenier Coastal Plain, as well as the uplands of prairie terrace habitat to the north. Within this area, whooping cranes used three major habitats: tall grass prairie, freshwater marsh, and brackish/salt marsh. The Louisiana crane population was not able to withstand the pressure of human encroachment, primarily the conversion of nesting habitat to agricultural acreage, as well as hunting and specimen collection, which also occurred across North America. The last bird in southwest Louisiana was removed to a sanctuary in 1950.

The only self-sustaining wild population of whooping cranes migrates between Wood Buffalo National Park in the Northwest Territories of Canada and Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. Like those in the eastern migratory population, it remains vulnerable to extinction from continued loss of habitat or natural or man-made catastrophes. Multiple efforts are underway to reduce this risk and bring this bird further along its path to recovery. This includes increasing populations in the wild, ongoing efforts to establish a migratory population in the eastern United States, and establishing a resident population in Louisiana.

There are about 570 whooping cranes left in the world, only 400 in the wild. About 100 cranes are in the eastern migratory population. For the 11th time in as many years, ultralight-led captive reared whooping cranes are learning their migration route to wintering sites in St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge. Ten young whooping cranes began their journey on Oct. 9, 2011.

tip411 Complaint Leads to Closed Season Alligator Case

A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agent cited a Basile subject for an alleged closed season alligator violation on Oct. 7, 2011.

LDWF agents received an anonymous tip411 complaint concerning four alligators that were captured and being held in a container at a Basile address belonging to John Sonnier, 50, in Evangeline Parish.

After arriving at Sonnier's residence, LDWF Sgt. Scott Fontenot located four live alligators in a large black container on the property near the shop. Sonnier admitted that his farm hands had captured the alligators and he had them placed into the container for approximately two weeks.

Sgt. Fontenot cited Sonnier for possessing alligators during a closed season. The four alligators were seized and released live back into the wild. Taking or possessing alligators during a closed season brings a $400 to $950 fine, up to 120 days in jail, or both plus court cost and forfeiture of anything seized.

LDWF launched the tip411 program a few weeks ago as a part of their Operation Game Thief program, which may offer a cash reward for information leading to arrests or convictions.

To use the tip411 program, citizens can text LADWF and their tip to 847411 or download the "LADWF Tips" iPhone app from the Apple iTunes store free of charge. CitizenObserver, the tip411 provider, uses technology that removes all identifying information before LDWF receives the text so that LDWF cannot identify the sender.

Texting or downloading the app enables the public to send anonymous tips to LDWF and lets LDWF respond back, creating a two-way anonymous “chat”. Users of the app or texters can also send in photos to help support their claim and be used as evidence.

Citizens can also call Operation Game Thief's Hotline at 1-800-442-2511. The hotline and tip411 program are monitored 24 hours a day.

LDWF Agent Found Dead in West Feliciana Parish

A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agent was found dead this morning, Sept. 30, in West Feliciana Parish.

The body of Sgt. Paul Stuckey, 47, of Zachary, was found by local fishermen at the old ferry landing near the banks of the Mississippi River just outside of St. Francisville at daybreak.

West Feliciana Sheriff's Office (WFSO) deputies were the first on the scene and found Sgt. Stuckey with a shotgun wound to his chest next to his patrol vehicle. The WFSO notified LDWF at 7 a.m.

"Our hearts go out to the Sgt. Stuckey family and his extended family of fellow agents will be there to help them through this tough time," said Col. Winton Vidrine, head of the LDWF Enforcement Division.

According to LDWF dispatch, Sgt. Stuckey's last known communication with the department was at 2:15 a.m. identifying that he was responding to a night hunting complaint.

Sgt. Stuckey had been with the LDWF Enforcement Division for 18 years. The cause of his death is currently under investigation. His body was turned over to the West Feliciana Coroners Office.

LDWF Launches tip411 and iPhone App

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is now offering a new way to anonymously report outdoor related violations to Enforcement Division agents. LDWF's tip411 program is a part of their Operation Game Thief program, which may offer a cash reward for information leading to arrests or convictions.

"We’re proud to make this technology available to our citizens free of charge. This tip411 program will help our citizens play an active role in helping us enforce current conservation rules and regulations," said LDWF Col. Winton Vidrine, head of the Enforcement Division. "This program will engage younger folks in the process and it will save our agency time and resources.“

LDWF will monitor the tip411 program for incoming tips 24 hours a day.

LDWF also offers their Operation Game Thief 24 hour toll free hotline. Citizens can anonymously report tips by calling 1-800-442-2511 24 hours a day.

CitizenObserver was founded in 2000 and provides web based alerting tools to law enforcement, education and public safety agencies in over 40 states.

Baton Rouge Man Arrested for Boating Violations

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents arrested a Baton Rouge man on Sept. 26 for his alleged involvement in a boating crash incident on the Amite River Diversion Canal.

Agents arrested Jack Riffle, 41, on four counts of first-degree negligent injury, driving or operating a boat while intoxicated (DWI) and reckless operation of a moving vessel and booked him into the Livingston Parish Jail. Riffle was the operator of a 19-foot vessel that struck and was lodged under a pier in the Diversion Canal in Livingston Parish on Aug. 27 that left all five occupants with moderate to serious injuries.

Passengers on the boat were Elizabeth Riffle, 44, wife of Jack Riffle, their 15-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son, and Chico Garcia, 29, all of Baton Rouge.

LDWF agents responded to a report of a boating crash incident at 7 p.m. Agents immediately summoned emergency medical responders and began removing debris in order to access and provide basic first-aid to the injured until the advanced medical responders were able to arrive.

Jack Riffle submitted to a blood sample following the boating crash incident, which allegedly showed that he was over the .08 blood alcohol concentration legal limit.

First-degree negligent injury brings up to a $2,000 fine and up to five years in jail for each offense. First offense DWI carries a $300 to $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail. Reckless operation of a moving vessel brings up to a $200 fine and up to 90 days in jail.

Agents involved in the response and investigation were Sgt. Todd Lewis, Sgt. Randy Lanoux, Sgt. Ezekiel Talbert, Agent Terry Hicks and Agent Dale Wheat.

LDWF Enforcement Division First Agency to Earn BOAT Accreditation

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division is the first agency in the United States to earn national accreditation in the Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) program administered by the National Association of Safe Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).

During a ceremony in Milwaukee, Wis. at NASBLA’s Annual Conference, NASBLA’s President Jim Graybeal presented LDWF’s Lt. Col. Jeff Mayne and Lt. Spencer Cole with the formal Accreditation Certificate.

According to NASBLA.org, the BOAT program establishes a national standard for the training and qualification of maritime law enforcement and rescue personnel. Adoption and implementation of the BOAT program provides a true national standard for the purpose of maritime interoperability at the federal, state and local levels. Standardization ensures maritime agencies can interact together and will bolster their ability to act as force multipliers nationwide.

"Agencies who choose to adopt this national standard of training can assure their ability to conduct missions on our nation’s waterways safely and effectively and operate seamlessly with their federal, state and local partners on the water," said John Fetterman, NASBLA's Director of Law Enforcement. "Congratulations go to Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries for being the first accredited state agency in our BOAT program, which other states will use as a model of success."

The LDWF Enforcement Division is the first agency to implement the BOAT standard in all aspects of operations and training including cadet training at the academy level and training of partners throughout the state across all jurisdictions. The BOAT program will enhance LDWF's training plans in the areas of basic crewmember, boat operator for search and rescue and tactical operations.

"This is a significant achievement for the department as we work with the U.S. Coast Guard, State Police and local authorities daily in patrolling our local waterways," said LDWF Lt. Col. Jeff Mayne, the state's Boating Law Administrator. "This training program allows every enforcement agency responsible for securing and providing safe passage on our waterways to train together and be on the same page during natural disasters and maritime security threats."

The LDWF Enforcement Division is an active participant in Louisiana's Homeland Security Plan and represents the state in waterborne emergencies. Through the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, LDWF is the lead agency for search and rescue operations during natural disasters and maritime security of Louisiana's vital business and government interests along the coast and major rivers.

As members of the Governor's Homeland Security Advisory Council, the Area Maritime Security Executive Steering Committee and all major port security committees within the state, LDWF Law Enforcement Division agents frequently respond to requests to deploy LDWF marine resources for security concerns.

The LDWF Enforcement Division's specialized training and equipment and its ability to operate throughout the state's vast maze of waterways and wild areas has complemented Louisiana's ability to respond to emergencies on the water.

West Monroe Man Pleads Guilty to Killing Bald Eagle

A West Monroe Man pled guilty for violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act in the Federal Western District Court of Louisiana in Monroe on Sept. 19.

Jeffrey M. Miles, 22, entered his guilty plea to U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Hayes for shooting a mature bald eagle in Franklin Parish on April 4, 2011.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents initiated the investigation on April 4 after finding a dead bald eagle in a drainage ditch along Camphouse Road.

After a thorough investigation and receiving tips from the public through the department's Operation Game Thief hotline, agents were able to cite Miles on April 22 for violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

"Getting a guilty plea in federal court proves that the investigative work our agents did was factual and sound," said Col. Winton Vidrine, head of the LDWF Law Enforcement Division. "Utilizing the public tips, gathering crucial evidence and interviewing suspects or people with information about this case all led to a successful conviction."

Hayes ordered a pre-sentencing investigation to be completed by federal investigators. A sentencing date has been set for Jan. 3, 2012 in Monroe. Violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act brings up to a $100,000 fine and up to 12 months in jail.

Agents participating in the case were Capt. Alan Bankston, Lt. Scott Watson, Senior Agent Albert Tarver and Senior Agent Johnny Wilson.

Belle Chasse Man Cited for Filing False Boat Registration

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division Strike Force and undercover agents cited a Belle Chasse man for alleged boat registration violations on Sept. 18.

Agents cited Benjamin Vodopija, 24, for possessing a motorboat with an altered hull identification number in Plaquemines Parish. Vodopija was also cited for injuring public records and filing false public records in East Baton Rouge Parish in his attempt to illegally register a boat.

Undercover agents answered an Internet classified ad in reference to a subject wanting to purchase a Louisiana boat registration for a vessel that he was unable to obtain a registration for legally. Undercover agents made contact with Vodopija and sold him a false registration for $200. Vodopija allegedly registered the vessel in his name with the false registration.

For filing false public records and injuring public records, Vodopija faces up to five years in jail, or up to $5,000 in fines or both for each offense. Agents seized the vessel along with a Yamaha outboard motor and boat trailer.

Agents involved in the case were Lt. Joseph Arnaud, Sgt. Todd Laviolette, Agents Charles Talbert, Justin Lowry, Ronnie Engelhard and LDWF undercover agents.

LDWF Unveils New Toll Free Information Hotline

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is now offering a free information hotline to the public that will cover popular season dates and regulations.

The public can call the toll free hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-256-2749. As seasons are set, LDWF will update the hotline with the most current information.

"The department anticipates the most useful feature of the hotline will be for those looking for season dates after our normal operating hours and on weekends," said Lt. Col. Jeff Mayne of LDWF's Enforcement Division. "This hotline provides another tool the public can use to find out about newly set seasons in addition to our Web site and other publications."

After calling the hotline, the public will listen to an operator and follow the prompts to access the information they are seeking.

Hunting and fishing dates will be available through the hotline for the following seasons: shrimp, deer, squirrel, rabbit, migratory game birds, turkey, quail, recreational finfish and commercial finfish.

"In efforts to increase voluntary compliance, we want to ensure the public is aware of what seasons are currently open and the legal take and limits," said Mayne.

The hotline will also feature boating safety, Wildlife Management Area and hunter safety information as well as the contact information for regional offices located around the state.

Union Parish Man Arrested For Fifth DWI

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents arrested a Union Parish man for allegedly his fifth driving while intoxicated (DWI) offense on Sept. 6 on the Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area (WMA).

Agents arrested Jerry R. McAdams, 51, of Downsville, for his fifth DWI offense and also cited him for driving without a valid license and violating WMA rules and regulations.

Agents stopped McAdams in his vehicle to inquire about his self-clearing permit when they noticed that McAdams appeared to be intoxicated. Agents then discovered that McAdams did not possess a current driver’s license, or check in to use the WMA and was on probation for his fourth DWI offense.

Agents arrested and transported McAdams to the Ouachita Parish Correctional Center where he submitted a breath sample. The results showed McAdams to have a blood alcohol content above the legal limit of .08.

A fourth DWI offense or any subsequent conviction is a felony punishable by imprisonment between 10 and 30 years and up to a $5,000 fine. Failing to abide by WMA rules and regulations brings a fine up to $350, or up to 60 days in jail, or both plus court cost. Operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license is a fine up to $175, and up to 30 days in jail, or both plus court cost.

Agents involved in the case are Senior Agent Scott Jeansonne and Lt. Rick Owens.

Two Acadia Parish Men Cited For Hunting Violations

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited two men for allegedly hunting squirrels during a closed season on Sept. 1 northwest of Iota.

Agents heard shots and observed two subjects walking in the wooded area near Bayou Des Canes shooting squirrels. Agents made contact with the two subjects and found a total of six squirrels between the two men.

Agents cited Joseph Gary, 48, and David Leckelt, 54, both from Iota, for hunting squirrels during a closed season. Leckelt was also cited for hunting without a resident hunting license.

Hunting squirrels during a closed season brings a fine between $250 and $500, or up to 90 days in jail, or both plus court cost. Hunting without a resident license brings a fine of $50 or up to 15 days in jail.

The fall squirrel season in Louisiana runs from Oct. 1 to Feb. 29.

Agents involved in the case were Senior Agents Buddy Murray and Jason Stagg.

Commercial Alligator Hunter Cited for Alligator Violations

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited a commercial alligator hunter for alleged alligator violations on Sept. 2 in Ascension Parish.

While patrolling the McElroy Swamp area, agents came into contact with Arnold Villeneurve, 65, of Sorrento. Agents found Villeneurve with two untagged alligators in his possession. After further investigation, agents revealed Villeneurve had seven more untagged previously caught alligators stored in a cooler located at his residence.

Agents issued Villeneurve citations for nine counts of failing to tag alligators upon harvest. Violation of this statue carries a fine of $450 to $950, up to 120 days in jail, or both plus court costs for each count and forfeiture of anything seized.

The nine alligators were seized along with 25 unused alligator tags that were assigned to Villeneurve. In addition to fines and penalties, Villeneurve may be subject to pay restitution for each of the alligators seized and the loss of future hunting privileges.

Agents involved in the case were Senior Agent Hal Bridges and Sgt. Todd Laviolette.

LDWF Agents Cite Five Subjects for Alligator Violations

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited five Shreveport subjects for alleged alligator violations on Aug. 27.

LDWF agents received an anonymous Operation Game Thief complaint concerning an alligator that was killed on Cross Lake within Caddo Parish in July of 2011. After further investigation, agents were able to identify five suspects.

The five suspects confessed to agents of their involvement in the taking and possessing of an alligator. Agents also found and seized a 60-inch long alligator skin from the residence of one of the suspects.

Agents cited Robert Arnett, 23, and Laura Grice, 18, for illegal possession of an alligator. Daniel Grice, 20, Adam Parisy, 20, and Cory Lubking, 24, were all cited for taking an alligator during a closed season and taking an alligator without a license.

Illegal possession of an alligator and taking an alligator during a closed season brings a $400 to $950 fine, up to 120 days in jail, or both plus court cost and forfeiture of anything seized for each offense. Taking an alligator without a license brings a $250 to $500 fine, or up to 120 days in jail, or both plus court cost.

Agents involved in the case were Sgt. Troy Parker, Senior Agent Toby Meyers, Senior Agent Frank Reger and Lt. Roy Schufft.

Texas Fishermen Cited for Federal Fishing Violations

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited four men on Aug. 29 for alleged fisheries violations in federal waters.

Agents cited Kevin Hai Vo, 53, of Houston, Texas; Dien Xuan Le, 47, of Dickinson, Texas; Hai Tan Pham, 47, of San Leon, Texas; and My J Lam, 45, of Houston, Texas for possessing over the limit of cobia and failing to keep saltwater finfish intact.

The daily possession limit for cobia is two per person. Agents seized 10 cobia and 84 pounds of cobia filets.

Possessing over the limit of cobia brings a fine between $100 and $350, up to 60 days in jail or both. Failing to keep saltwater finfish intact carries a fine between $250 and $500, up to 90 days in jail or both.

Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Brian Theriot, Sgt. Mitch Darby, Sgt. Keith Delahoussaye and Senior Agent Derek Logan.

Belle Chase Man Cited for DWI on the Water

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited a Belle Chase man for allegedly driving or operating a vessel while intoxicated (DWI) on Aug. 27.

Agents performed a boating safety inspection of a personal watercraft (PWC) being operated by Kevin Hoots, 40, in the Intracoastal Waterway near Lafitte. During the inspection, agents detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage on Hoots' breath.

During the standard field sobriety test, agents determined Hoots was impaired. Hoots also registered a blood alcohol content over the legal limit of .08 after agreeing to take a Breathalyzer test. Agents booked Hoots into the Gretna Correctional Facility for a first offense DWI.

First offense DWI brings a fine between $300 and $1,000, up to six months in jail or both.

Alcohol can impair a boater’s judgment, balance, vision and reaction time. It can increase fatigue and susceptibility to the effects of cold-water immersion. Sun, wind, noise, vibration and motion intensify the side effects of alcohol, drugs and some prescription medications.

In Louisiana, a DWI on the water carries the same penalties and fines as on the road and includes jail time, fines and loss of driving and boating operator privileges. Also, each offense of operating a vehicle or vessel while intoxicated counts toward the total number of DWI crimes whether they happened on the water or road.

Agents participating in the case were Senior Agent Doug Danna and Agent Jared Taylor.

Agents Respond to Boating Crash Incident on Diversion Canal

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents responded to a boating crash incident on Aug. 27 in the Amite River Diversion Canal area of Livingston Parish around 7 p.m.

The occupants of a civilian vessel advised LDWF agents patrolling the area of a boating crash incident that just occurred one mile up river. Agents immediately responded and were first on scene.

Upon arrival agents found that the 19-foot vessel had struck and was lodged under a pier. The five occupants of the vessel are listed below:

Jack Riffle, 41, operator; Elizabeth Riffle, 44, wife of Jack; 15 year old girl, daughter of the Riffles; 13-year-old boy, son of the Riffles; and Chico Garcia, 29. All involved are from Baton Rouge and found to have injuries ranging from moderate to very serious

Agents immediately summoned emergency medical responders and began removing debris in order to access and provide basic first-aid to the injured until the advanced medical responders were able to arrive. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation by LDWF.

Agents involved in the response were Sgt. Randy Lanoux, Sgt. Todd Lewis, Sgt. Ezekiel Talbert, Agent Terry Hicks and Agent Dale Wheat.

LDWF Agents Cite Mississippi Man For Shrimping During Closed Season

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited a Mississippi man for allegedly shrimping during a closed season in St. Bernard Parish on Aug. 19.

Agents cited Dac Quoc Nguyen, of Bay St. Louis, Miss., for using skimmers during a closed shrimp season.

Agents were responding to complaints of illegal shrimping in St Bernard Parish's North marsh. Agents were in the area of the complaints and observed the vessel occupied by Nguyen engaging in skimming operations in Elephant Pass. Agents issued Nguyen a citation and seized 280 pounds of 16-20 count white shrimp.

Using skimmers in a closed season brings up to a $950 fine, up to 120 days in jail, or both plus courts costs.

In addition to any other penalties, the court may revoke or suspend the violator's trawl, skimmer and butterfly gear licenses for one year from the date of the conviction. During such revocation or suspension, the violator may be present on a vessel harvesting or possessing shrimp or possessing a trawl, skimmer or butterfly net, only if the vessel is equipped with and employs an operating vessel monitoring system which is accessible by LDWF.

Agents participating in the cases were Sgt. Kris Bourgeois, Senior Agents Austin Arteaga and Brett Nabors.

Fishermen Cited In Federal Waters

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited four men on Aug. 15 and two men on Aug. 16 for alleged fisheries violations in federal waters.

On Aug. 15, agents cited Larry Minor III, 23, of Fairhope, Ala., Jeffery Copeland, 42, of Mobile, Ala., Wayne Guidry, 34, of Marrero, and Jason Chauvin, 41, of Baton Rouge, for failing to have saltwater finfish intact and possessing red snapper during a closed season.

On Aug. 16, agents cited Richard Britton, 48, of Pickens, S.C., and Brian Loupe, 30, of Morgan City for possessing red snapper during a closed season.

Agents seized 153 red snapper, shark and blue fish filets on the Aug. 15 case and for the Aug. 16 case seized 70 red snapper filets and a 17-inch red snapper.

Agents participating in the cases were Sgts. Travis Huval and Brian Theriot, Senior Agents Donnie Bozeman and David Boudreaux, and Agent Brandon Fontenot.

The penalties for taking red snapper during a closed season are fines between $100 and $350, or up to 60 days in jail, or both plus court costs. Failing to have saltwater finfish intact are fines between $250 and $500, or up to 90 days in jail, or both plus court costs.

New Iberia Man Pleads Guilty for Taking Louisiana Black Bear

A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division investigation of an illegally taken black bear has resulted in a guilty plea of a New Iberia man in Federal Western District Court in Lafayette on Aug. 17.

Cory R. Ronsonet, 39, pled guilty before Magistrate Judge Patrick J. Hanna for one count of violating the endangered species act for illegally taking a Louisiana black bear. A pre-sentence investigation is in progress to help determine penalties. Ronsonet could receive up to $100,000 dollars in fines and up to one-year imprisonment.

LDWF initiated the investigation during the 2008-09 hunting season after receiving a public tip that a black bear had been shot and the bear was skinned and stored in a fashion to mount it in the future. Agents then found a black bear skin and its decapitated head on May 19, 2011 off of Daniel Lane near a subdivision in New Iberia. During the investigation, Ronsonet admitted to LDWF Enforcement Division agents on May 31, 2011 of taking the black bear in question.

"This is a perfect example of the public and law enforcement working together to help solve a case. The agents did a great job of pursuing the perpetrator for over a year and bringing justice to this case," said Col. Winton Vidrine, Chief of LDWF's Enforcement Division. "Due to the nature of a federal investigation, enforcement officials were not able to provide any details about the investigation until this point."

LDWF Senior Agent David Boudreaux was the lead investigator on the case and was assisted by Sgts. James Rhodes, Mitch Darby, Brian Theriot and Senior Agent Jason Romero. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Special Agent Phillip Siragusa also assisted with the investigation.

The bear had been a part of LDWF's black bear program and was first tagged in 2000 when it was estimated to be six years old. The passive integrated transponder implanted during the initial capture was left in the hide when the bear was skinned and provided positive identification. LDWF had never received a nuisance call about this older male bear that lived mostly in the Weeks Island area of lower Iberia Parish.

The Louisiana black bear has been listed on the Federal Threatened and Endangered Species List since 1992. Citizens are reminded that killing a Louisiana black bear is a violation of both state law and the federal Endangered Species Act.

Pineville Man Cited For Possession Of Three Spotted Fawns

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited a Pineville man for allegedly possession three spotted fawns on July 20 in Rapides Parish.

Agents visited the residence of Timothy C. Toms, 44, and found three spotted fawns being kept illegally. Toms told agents he received the three spotted fawns from three different people and that he intended to raise them.

Toms was cited for three counts of possession of spotted fawns. Possession of a spotted fawn carries a fine between $500 and $750 or jail time between 15 and 30 days for each count.

Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Kevin Hill and Senior Agent John Volentine.