Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents charged two men for alleged commercial fishing violations with one of the men being arrested for alleged DWI on Aug. 2 in Plaquemines Parish.

Agents cited Bruce Guerra III, 39, and Elward Perez, 58, both of St. Bernard, for skimming for shrimp during a closed season.  Agents subsequently arrested Guerra III for operating or driving a vessel while impaired (DWI), obstruction of justice and operating a vessel without navigation lights and booked him into the Plaquemines Parish Jail.

Agents were on patrol in at night on Oak River when they observed a shrimping vessel actively skimming for shrimp in closed waters without navigation lights.

Agents boarded the vessel and the captain, Guerra III, was showing signs of impairment.  After further investigation, agents determined that Guerra III was impaired and he admitted to agents of throwing incriminating evidence overboard.

Agents seized 1,246 pounds of shrimp and sold them to the highest bidder.  Agents also seized two skimmer nets.

Using skimmers during a closed season carries up to a $950 fine and 120 days in jail. In addition to any and all other penalties, for the first conviction of shrimping during the closed season, the court may revoke or suspend the violator's trawl, skimmer, and butterfly gear licenses for one year from the date of the conviction.  During such revocation or suspension, the violator may be present on a vessel harvesting or possessing shrimp or possessing a trawl, skimmer, or butterfly net, only if the vessel is equipped with and employs an operating vessel monitoring system, which is accessible to LDWF.  The court shall sentence the violator to perform 40 hours of community service.

Obstruction of justice for tampering with evidence 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.

Agents participating in the case are Corporal Blaine Wagner, Corporal Gary Levron, Sgt. Kyle Wagner, Agent Shea Schexnaydre, Agent Heather Fitzgerald, Agent Jimmie Daniels and Agent Austin Wiles.