Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents and Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) investigators conducted a joint operation in Rapides Parish on Oct. 24 resulting in four arrests.
LDWF agents and LDAF investigators arrested the following subjects:
Edward L. Randall, 67, of Lena, for theft of timber, simple criminal damage to property, hunting from a moving vehicle, hunting deer during illegal hours, criminal trespassing, deer hunting without basic hunting and deer hunting licenses, hunting deer without deer tags and failing to tag deer, and hunting deer from a public roadway.
Regina G. Randall, 62, of Lena, for possession of methamphetamines, possession of a firearm while being in possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS), theft of timber, simple criminal damage to property, hunting from a moving vehicle, hunting deer during illegal hours, hunting deer using illegal methods, deer hunting without basic hunting an deer hunting licenses, hunt deer without deer tags, failing to tag deer, hunting deer from a public roadway, and criminal trespassing.
Jessica D. Morehead, 40, of Eunice, for possession of methamphetamines, possession of a firearm while being in possession of a CDS, possession of drug paraphernalia, simple criminal damage to property, criminal trespassing, hunting without a basic hunting license and failing to comply with outlaw quadruped regulations.
Shawn P. Bergeaux, 48, of Eunice, for possession of methamphetamines, possession of a firearm while being in possession of a CDS, possession of drug paraphernalia, hunting without a basic hunting license, failing to comply with outlaw quadruped regulations, criminal trespassing, hunting from a moving vehicle and hunting from a public road.
The joint operation originated from an ongoing LDAF investigation involving suspected timber theft and property damage that developed into a coordinated LDAF and LDWF investigation to also address suspected nighttime hunting violations in the Lena area.
On the night of Oct. 24, LDWF agents and LDAF investigators conducted surveillance and observed the subjects engaged in nighttime hunting activity from a motor vehicle. The LDWF agents and the LDAF investigators conducted a traffic stop and found an antlerless deer in the bed of the truck.
The authorities also found three of the subjects in possession of a suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia while in possession of a firearm.
This joint operation demonstrates the importance of cooperation between LDAF and LDWF in protecting Louisiana’s natural resources, supporting landowners, and investigating alleged violations involving forestry and wildlife. Both departments remain committed to enforcing applicable laws and protecting the resources entrusted to them.
The investigations remain ongoing and additional information may be released when appropriate.
An antlerless deer, six firearms, two bags of suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were seized in connection with the cases.
Possession of a firearm while being in possession of a controlled dangerous substance carries up to a $10,000 fine and five to 10 years in jail. Possession of methamphetamines carries up to a $5,000 fine and two years in jail. Possession of drug paraphernalia brings up to a $300 fine and 15 days in jail. Criminal trespassing brings a $100 to $500 fine and up to 30 days in jail.
Theft of timber brings up to a $10,000 fine and 10 years in jail. Simple criminal damage to property carries up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail.
Hunting deer during illegal hours brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail for each offense. Hunting from a public road brings a $500 to $750 fine and up to 30 days in jail. Hunting from a moving vehicle, hunting deer using illegal methods and failing to comply with outlaw quadruped regulations carries a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail for each offense. Deer hunting without basic hunting and deer hunting licenses, without deer tags, from a public roadway and failing to tag deer brings up to a $350 fine for each offense.
LDWF agents participating in this case are Agent Cannon Beaver, Corporal Michael Thacker, Corporal Ryan Durand, and Sgt. Jesse Davis.
