Pair allegedly shorted customers, sold without retail seafood license
Enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited two door-to-door shrimp salesmen for allegedly shorting customers in Calcasieu Parish last month.
According to a news release, Kenny J. Menard, 45, of Rayne, and Jessie L. Dupuis, 43, of Lafayette, were cited for theft by fraudulent sales, selling shrimp without a retail seafood license and failing to maintain records.
The agents responded to a tip from two Hayes residents who complained of being shorted on shrimp they purchased on Jan. 25 in Calcasieu Parish. During the investigation, agents determined the customers actually received about half of the shrimp they agreed to purchase, according to the release.
Agents identified the sellers of the shrimp — who were not licensed — and secured arrest warrants on Feb. 8. Menard was arrested on Feb. 9 in Acadia Parish, and Dupuis surrendered to authorities in Calcasieu Parish on Feb. 13, the release states.
Theft by fraudulent sales carries up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail. Failing to maintain records and selling shrimp without a retail seafood license each brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail, according to the release.
