Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents arrested four subjects for alleged public record violations on Jan. 27 in East Baton Rouge Parish.
Agents arrested John W. Ballard Jr., 49, of Denham Springs, Brian J. Ballard, 30, of Hammond, and Trevor N. Ballard, 25, of Baton Rouge, for injuring public records. Agents also arrested Kara Meek, 47, of Haughton, for filing false public records.
Agents began investigating this case after John Ballard Jr., Brian Ballard and Trevor Ballard obtained their disabled veteran hunting and fishing licenses. During the investigation, agents learned that John Ballard Jr. and Trevor Ballard never served in the military and that Brian Ballard, who did serve in the Louisiana National Guard, is not a disabled veteran.
Agents also found that Meek, who works for the Louisiana Department of Veteran’s Affairs, signed and submitted their false applications for free disabled veteran hunting and fishing licenses while knowing they were not disabled veterans.
During questioning, the four subjects all admitted to intentionally submitting false applications in order to receive the free disabled veteran hunting and fishing licenses.
In Louisiana, a veteran qualifies for free hunting and fishing licenses if they have a service-connected disability, which is classified as 50 percent or more.
Agents booked the four subjects into the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail.
Injuring and filing false public records brings up to a $5,000 fine and five years in jail for each offense.
Agents participating in the case are Corporal Brent Hebert, Corporal Joshua LeBouef and Sgt. Mike Meserole.
