June 8, 2005

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents arrested three men for allegedly selling deer and buying game fish from undercover agents last week.

Darnell Carter Warner, 47, of Vidalia was arrested and booked into the Concordia Parish jail on June 3 on a warrant for two counts of purchasing game fish in 2003 and for eight counts of selling deer. Warner sold over 30 deer to an undercover agent over a two-year span. He was also charged for violating interstate commerce regulations since two of the transactions took place in Mississippi.

James E. Baker, 56, of Independence turned himself into the St. Helena Parish jail on June 3 on a warrant for seven counts of buying game fish from an undercover agent. The purchases were for over 600 pounds of crappie.

James E. Thompson, 58, of Las Vegas, Nevada was arrested in Baton Rouge on June 2 on a warrant stemming from a two-year undercover operation. Thompson was allegedly purchasing game fish in Louisiana and transporting them to sell in Las Vegas. Thompson purchased nearly 1200 pounds of crappie from undercover agents. He was also charged with violating interstate commerce regulations, failing to maintain records and buying fish without a wholesale retail license.

The maximum penalties for purchasing game fish and selling deer are fines of $750 or jail time for 120 days, or both for each count, plus court costs.

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