Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited four men for alleged recreational fishing violations on Oct. 6 in Plaquemines Parish.
Agents cited Roberto A. Escobar, 47, Leonel Escobar, 49, Oliver Banegas, 47, and Franklin Escobar, 18, all of Gretna, for possessing fish without a basic fishing license and saltwater license, possessing undersized black drum, over the limit of black drum, possessing undersized red drum and taking female crabs during a closed season. Leonel Escobar was also cited for driving without a driver’s license.
Leonel Escobar and Roberto Escobar were arrested and booked into the Belle Chasse Lockup for multiple prior recreational fishing citations.
Agents received an anonymous tip that the four men were over their limit of black drum in Lake Hermitage. Agents found a vehicle that matched the description from the tip and pulled it over in Belle Chasse.
Agents found two ice chests with 30 black drum, three red drum and female crabs in the bed of the truck. None of the men possessed basic or saltwater fishing licenses.
Possessing undersized black drum, possessing over the limit of black drum, possessing undersized red drum, and taking female crabs during a closed season each carries a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail for each offense. Possessing fish without basic and saltwater fishing licenses each carries up to a $50 fine and 15 days in jail for each offense.
The four men may also face civil restitution for the replacement value of the illegally taken fish.
Tags:Citations[1], Plaquemines Parish[2], Recreational Fishing[3]
