Four Terrebonne Parish people pled guilty and were sentenced in 32nd Judicial District Court in Terrebonne Parish on Oct. 13.
Judge Johnny Walker sentenced Zeth M. Lodrigue, 27, of Dulac, Tia C. Linson, 36, of Dulac, Damien L. Rel, 19, of Houma, and Anna C. Parfait, 20, of Bourg, for unlawfully taking oysters from a private lease without written permission. Each subject was fined $900 plus court costs and placed on probation for two years.
Each defendant can also only harvest oysters on a vessel that employs a vessel monitoring system for one year. Each defendant must also complete 40 hours of community service within 90 days. The oyster harvester license for the captain, Lodrigue, was revoked for one year. The vessel used in connection with the violation was forfeited to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited the four subjects on May 13, 2016. Agents found them illegally harvesting oysters from a private lease without permission in Trouble Bayou in lower Terrebonne Parish. Agents seized 11 sacks of oysters and returned them to the water.
Assistant District Attorney Seth Dodd prosecuted the case. Agents participating in this case were Sgt. Bryan Marie and Senior Agent Adam Tieben.