Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents arrested a Buras man for allegedly harassing hunters on public property in Plaquemines Parish on Dec. 26.

Agents arrested Brendan Nolan, 32, for harassment of a person lawfully hunting, simple assault, criminal damage to property and illegal discharge of a firearm.

Agents received a complaint from hunters hunting ducks on public land in Venice.  The complaint contained a video showing Nolan maneuver his vessel into a duck decoy spread belonging to the hunters.  Nolan also verbally harassed the hunters then produced a loaded pistol and shot the hunters’ decoys.

LDWF agents and a Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office (PPSO) deputy responded to the incident and searched for Nolan in and around Venice.  When Nolan was located, he was arrested and booked into the Plaquemines Parish Detention Center.

Further charges may be forthcoming as the investigation unfolds.  Agents seized a pistol in connection with the violations.

Harassment of persons lawfully hunting carries up to a $350 fine and revocation of the permit or license under which the violation occurred for the period for which it was issued and barring of the issuance of another permit or license for that same period.  Any person adversely affected by a violation of the law shall be entitled to recover actual damages, including expenditures of the affected person for license and permit fees, travel, guides, special equipment and supplies, to the extent that such expenditures were rendered futile by the actions of the person violating the law.

Criminal damage of property carries up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail.  Simple assault brings up to a $250 fine and 90 days in jail.

The case will be forwarded to Charles Ballay for prosecution.

Agents participating in the case are Sgt. Villere Reggio, Corporal Thomas Forehand and Agent Shea Schexnaydre.  PPSO Sgt. Chad Lafrance also participated in the case.