Rod and Gun Club and Three Donaldsonville Men Assessed $34,810 in Fines for Migratory Game Bird Violations
OutdoorHub 06.30.11
The Palo Alto Rod and Gun Club and three Donaldsonville men pled guilty to Migratory Bird Treaty Act violations on June 24 in Federal Middle District Court in Baton Rouge. U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen C. Riedlinger ordered the Palo Alto Rod and Gun Club and the three men to pay a total of $34,810 in fines and assessments for the violations.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited the Palo Alto Rod and Gun Club located near Donaldsonville in September of 2007 for baiting a dove field to attract mourning doves for paid hunts. Agents also cited Robert Lemann Sr., 62, Robert Lemann Jr., 38, and Kenneth Gomez, 62, and Wayne Gomez, 60, for baiting a dove field.
The Palo Alto Rod and Gun Club was ordered to pay a $25,300 fine and $350 in assessments. The club was also placed on probation for two years in which they will not be allowed to provide any paid hunts. Lemann Sr. represented the Palo Alto Rod and Gun Club and accepted their penalties in exchange to have his personal charges dropped.
Lemann Jr. was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and $70 in assessments. Kenneth Gomez was fined $3,000 plus $70 in assessments. Wayne Gomez was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and $20 in assessments. All three men were also placed on one year of probation with the stipulation that they cannot provide any paid hunts.
LDWF Agents began investigating the Palo Alto Rod and Gun Club in August of 2007 after receiving a public complaint. Agents setup surveillance on the club and observed dove fields that were baited with wheat seeds in an effort to attract mourning doves.
All four men are either employed or connected to the Palo Alto Rod and Gun Club.
Agents participating in the case were Lt. Dennis Bueche, Sgt. Will Roberts, Sgt. Randy Lanoux, Sgt. Todd Lewis, Senior Agent Chad Menzina and Senior Agent Hal Bridges. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents also assisted in the case.
For more information, contact Adam Einck at aeinck@wlf.la.gov.
