Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents arrested a Boutte resident for alleged night hunting violations on Jan. 9 in St. Charles Parish.
Agents arrested Israel Williams, 36, of Boutte, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm with obliterated number or mark, contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, hunting from a moving vehicle, hunting from a public road, hunting wild quadrupeds during illegal hours, use of a firearm with an illegal electronic sight, and hunting without a basic hunting license.
LDWF agents received several complaints depicting illegal night hunting activity on Hwy. 632 near Bayou Gauche. At approximately 8:30 p.m. agents observed a pickup truck operating at a low rate of speed with a light being used to scan the brush along the roadway.
Agents stopped the vehicle and found Williams in possession of a loaded .22 caliber rifle without a serial number and with an illegal electronic scope with laser. After conducting a background check, agents found that Williams was a convicted felon and not allowed to possess a firearm.
LDWF agents with the assistance from the St. Charles Sheriff’s Office arrested Williams and booked him into Nelson Coleman Correctios Center. The juvenile was released to designated family members.
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon brings a $1,000 to $5,000 fine and five to 20 years in jail. Possession of a firearm with obliterated number or markings brings up to a $1,000 fine and one to five years in jail. Contributing to the delinquency of juveniles carries up to a $500 fine and six months in jail.
Hunting wild quadrupeds during illegal hours, hunting from a public road, hunting from a moving vehicle, and use of a firearm with illegal electronic sights bring a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail for each offense. Hunting without basic hunting license carries up to a $50 fine and 15 days in jail.