Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents arrested a Bastrop man for alleged drug, firearm and hunting violations in Morehouse Parish on Dec. 13.
LDWF agents arrested Christopher Barthol, 45, of Bastrop, for illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of methamphetamine, hunting deer during illegal hours and failing to tag a deer.
Agents received information about a man trespassing and hunting in Oak Ridge. Agents set up surveillance and observed Barthol exiting the woods at 6:20 p.m. carrying a rifle and spotlight.
Agents made contact with Barthol and learned that he was a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and also found him in possession of methamphetamine. Barthol also admitted to using the spotlight to hunt deer illegally at night.
During the investigation, agents learned that Barthol harvested an antlerless deer on Nov. 23, 2024, without tagging the deer.
Agents arrested Barthol and booked him into the Morehouse Parish Jail and seized his rifle.
Possession of methamphetamine brings up to a $5,000 fine and two years in jail. Illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon carries a $1,000 to $5,000 fine and five to 20 years of jail time. Hunting deer during illegal hours brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Failing to tag a harvested deer carries up to a $350 fine.
Barthol will also face civil restitution totaling $1,624 for the untagged deer.
LDWF Agents involved with the case are Sgt. Ray Ellerbe, Cpl. John Hattaway and Senior Agent Stephen LaCombe.
Agents Arrest Convicted Felon for Multiple Charges in Morehouse Parish
December262024