Only in Louisiana: Man Busted for Illegal Crawfishing, DWI, Drugs
April 7 was the day that things just kept getting worse for a Gramercy, Louisiana man.
According to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents Corporal Brent Hebert and Lt. Scott Dupre, were patrolling the Atchafalaya Basin in St. Martin Parish, when they happened upon Bobby McClung, 60, and it was an encounter McClung is not likely to soon forget.
As the agents made their rounds, they discovered McClung who was commercially fishing for crawfish; nothing out of the ordinary in this area.
However, as the agents approached McClung, they observed him holding the vessel kill switch lanyard in his hand. For those unaware, the kill switch must legally be plugged into the vehicle and attached to the operator.
Agents also observed marijuana in the vessel and McClung did not possess the required licenses for commercial harvest of crawfish.
After detecting that McClung appeared impaired, the LDWF agents escorted him to the Belle River Public Boat Launch where he was given, and failed, a field sobriety test.
It was at this time that agents booked McClung into the St. Martin Parish Jail on charges of DWI on the water, possession of marijuana, taking commercial fish without a commercial fishing license and commercial gear license, and failing to comply with engine cutoff switch regulations. Agents also seized and returned six sacks of crawfish to the water alive.
If found guilty of all charges, McClung is looking at some lofty fines and possible jail time.
- Possession of marijuana carries up to a $500 fine and six months in jail.
- DWI brings a $300 to $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail.
- Taking commercial fish without a commercial fishing license or commercial gear license carries a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail for each offense.
- Failing to comply with engine cutoff switch regulations brings up to a $50 fine.