Saltzman arrested the following day; faces fourth-offense DWI charges, LDWF says
A 42-year-old Ponchatoula man facing fourth-offense DWI charges allegedly swam away from game wardens Saturday night after a field sobriety test on a fuel dock in Manchac, according to a news release.
Agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries were on patrol in South Pass in Manchac around 10 p.m. Saturday when a vessel without running lights passed them, the release states.
The vessel was stopped and towed to the fuel dock, where Matthew B. Saltzman allegedly jumped into the water after the sobriety test.
The next day, agents tracked him down at his uncle’s camp, where he was located with a rifle in a bathroom. Family members talked him into surrendering unharmed, the release states.
Saltzman was arrested for fourth-offense DWI, flight from an officer, simple escape, resisting arrest, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, operating a watercraft under a suspended license and three boating safety violations, the release states.
Fourth-offense DWI brings up to a $5,000 fine and 10 to 30 years in jail. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon carries a $1,000 to $5,000 fine and 10 to 20 years in jail. Flight from an officer carries a $150 to $500 fine and up to six months in jail. Simple escape brings six months to one year in jail. Resisting arrest and operating a vessel with a suspended license each carries up to a $500 fine and six months in jail, and the three boating safety violations each bring up to a $50 fine and 15 days in jail.
