Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited five subjects for alleged frogging violations on May 31 in Rapides Parish.
Agents cited Mickey Burch, 48, of Boyce, Jarred B. Parker, 41, of Alexandria, Christopher N. Naalbandian, 27, of Alexandria, Stuart W. Morgan, 27, of Pineville, were cited for frogging during a closed season.
Agents received a complaint about Burch harvesting frogs and posting a photo to a social networking site. After observing the photo, agents made contact with Burch. Agents learned that Burch was frogging on the Red River on the night of May 30 and morning of May 31. Agents seized a total of 31 frogs.
In a separate case agents found Parker, Naalbandian and Morgan frogging in a tributary off of Bayou Boeuf on the night of May 31. Upon making contact with the men, agents found them in possession of 92 frogs. Agents seized the frogs and returned them to the wild.
Frogging during a closed season brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail. Burch may also face up to $200 in civil restitution for the illegally taken frogs. The statewide season for frogs is closed during the months of April and May.
Agents participating in these cases are Sgt. Byron Cammack, Senior Agent Hal bridges, Sgt. Gabe Guidry and Agent James Bruce.