A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agent cited a Slidell man for alleged crab trap theft violations in St. Tammany Parish on Aug. 21.
LDWF Sgt. Mike Garrity cited Ernest Schmolke, 68, for illegal removal of crab trap contents.
Sgt. Garrity was on patrol in Lake Pontchartrain near Slidell when he observed Schmolke empty contents of six crab traps into his boat. Upon making contact with Schmolke, Sgt. Garrity was able to determine he did not own the crab traps or have permission to empty them.
Sgt. Garrity seized 10 pounds of blue crab and returned them back to the water.
Illegal removal of crab trap contents brings a $450 to $950 or up to 120 days in jail.