Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents arrested a Patterson man for alleged driving or operating a vessel while impaired (DWI) in St. Mary Parish on July 13.

Agents arrested Anthony Garcia, 36, in Lake Palourde for DWI and failing to comply with waterskiing regulations and booked him into the St. Mary Parish Jail.

Agents were on patrol in Lake Palourde when they observed Garcia operating a vessel while towing a water skier without an observer. Agents stopped the vessel and found that Garcia was operating the vessel while impaired.

Anyone cited for a DWI on the water or on the road will lose his or her driver's license and boating privileges for the specified time ordered by the judge in the case. Also, each offense of operating a vehicle or vessel while intoxicated counts toward the total number of DWI crimes whether they happened on the water or road.

In Louisiana, a DWI can be issued to anyone operating a moving vessel or vehicle while impaired. First offense DWI carries a $300 to $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail. Failing to comply with waterskiing regulations brings up to a $50 fine.

Agents participating in the case are Agent Zachary Bell, Agent Trevor Benoit, Agent Joel Rubio, Sgt. Jeremy Foret and Lt. Scott Dupre.