Incident occurred in Bastian Bay on Aug. 15, LDWF says
A 52-year-old Buras man was arrested last week after allegedly scuffling with game wardens who had boarded his shrimp boat in Bastian Bay, according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Timothy P. Cheramie was arrested for allegedly shrimping with skimmers during a closed season, resisting an officer and battery of an officer, a release states.
Agents on patrol in Bastian Bay allegedly found Cheramie actively shrimping three days before the season opened, and when agents boarded his vessel he did not allow them to seize his nets, according to the release.
After attempts to seize the nets and continued interference from Cheramie, he was placed under arrest, but began fighting with agents as they attempted to handcuff him, the release states.
Using skimmers during a closed season carries up to a $950 fine and 120 days in jail plus forfeiture of anything seized. In addition, for the first conviction of shrimping during the closed season, the court may revoke or suspend the violator’s trawl, skimmer, or 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 to LDWF. The violator may also have to perform 40 hours of community service.
Resisting an officer carries up to a $500 fine and six months in jail, and battery of an officer brings up to a $500 fine and between 15 days and six months in jail.