Poachers Hit with $20,000+ in Fines

Poachers Hit with $20,000+ in Fines

From a news report released on January 2, 2017:
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agent cited two Greensburg men for alleged deer hunting violations in St. Helena Parish on Dec. 22, 2016.

LDWF Sgt. Toby Miller cited Rogelio Perez, 52, and Ben Avants, 54, for hunting deer during illegal hours, without wearing hunter’s orange, and possessing illegally taken deer.  Perez was also cited for failing to meet deer tagging requirements, taking over the daily limit of deer, intentional littering, taking deer illegally during an open season, selling deer meat, taking over the season limit of deer, concealing wildlife and failing to maintain sexual deer identification.

Agents received an anonymous tip about Perez illegally selling deer meat from deer he harvested at night in St. Helena Parish.  After a month long investigation Sgt. Miller was able to question Perez at his residence on Dec. 19 about a couple of deer he was skinning in his shed that were later revealed to have been taken on the same day.  Perez also tried to conceal an antlered deer’s head.During questioning, Perez admitted to taking 11 deer at night in St. Helena Parish with Avants, night vision and a flashlight attached to his .270 rifle.  He also took two deer during the day giving him a total of nine antlered deer and four antlerless deer since Nov. 19.  Hunters are only allowed to take three antlered and three antlerless deer per season putting Perez seven over the daily limit. Sgt. Miller questioned Avants on Dec. 22 and he admitted to going hunting with Perez eight different times and also helping with cleaning the deer.  Perez also admitted to selling eight deer and throwing the deer carcasses in a ditch. Sgt. Miller seized two whole deer, two sets of antlers, the night vision and rifle with attached flashlight. Hunting deer during illegal hours with artificial light and intentional concealment of wildlife each carries a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail for each offense.  Possession of illegally taken deer and taking deer illegally during an open season each carries a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail for each offense. Taking over the daily and season limit of deer and failing to maintain sexual identification each brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail for each offense.  Failing to comply with deer tagging requirements and to wear hunter’s orange each carries a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail for each offense. Selling and purchasing deer meat brings a $500 to $750 fine and up to 30 days in jail for the first offense.  For all subsequent offenses, Perez faces a $750 to $1,000 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Intentional littering carries up to a $500 fine and eight hours of community service in a litter-abatement work program.

Perez may also face civil restitution totaling $21,521 for the 13 illegally taken deer.
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