June 8, 2005

Agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division arrested an Orleans Parish man for alleged recreational fishing violations on May 27.
Agents observed Gary M. Spiess, 25, of New Orleans fishing in Lake Pontchartrain near the Industrial Canal. The agents then stopped Spiess to do a license compliance check in which Spiess allegedly told them he left his license at home.

The LDWF dispatch office confirmed Spiess was on the current license revocation list. He was arrested and cited for fishing while under license revocation, fishing without a basic license, fishing without a saltwater license and operating a vessel with improper running lights. In addition to the criminal charges, Spiess was also issued another civil citation for the value of the fish he possessed without proper licenses. All fish were seized and donated to a charity, and Speiss was booked into the Orleans Parish Prison.

In July of 1997, Enforcement Agents cited Spiess for fishing without a basic and saltwater license. In addition to the license violations, Spiess was also issued a civil citation totaling $216.69 for the value of the illegally taken fish. Spiess failed to pay the entire civil penalty and in September of 1999 after several attempts to collect the unpaid civil penalty, the department revoked Spiess’ recreational privileges.

Fishing while under license revocation carries a fine up to $500 or jail time up to 90 days, or both, plus court costs. Fishing without a basic and saltwater license each carry a $50 fine plus court costs. Improper running lights carry a maximum fine of $50. The civil penalty for the value of the fish totals $169.

Senior Agents Eddie Skena and Jason Russo participated in the investigation.

For more information, contact Lt. Col. Keith LaCaze at 225-765-2469 or klacaze@wlf.louisiana.gov.