Louisiana Man Arrested by Wildlife Agents After Allegedly Forging Boat Registration and Attempting to Sell the Vessel

Baton Rouge, Louisiana – A Louisiana man was arrested by wildlife agents after allegedly forging boat registration and attempting to sell the vessel.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) stated on June 12, 2023, that on June 1, enforcement agents arrested a Baton Rouge, Louisiana man for alleged forgery, injuring public records, and theft offenses in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Douglas Schooling, 57, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana was arrested for forgery, injuring public records, and theft.

On March 16, 2023, the LDWF Licensing and Registration Office received a boat registration application packet for a vessel, which included a boat registration certificate naming Schooling as the registered owner and a bill of sale for the boat/motor with an inaccurate registration number.

Agents reportedly found that Schooling forged his name on the boat registration application packet after additional inquiry. Schooling listed the boat for sale and sold it for $4,000 despite the fact that it was registered to someone else. To entice a buyer, Schooling offered the boat for sale with the forged registration indicating him as the owner, according to agents.

Schooling surrendered to the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail on June 1 after agents acquired an arrest warrant for him.

Forgery is punishable by a $5,000 fine and up to ten years in prison. Stealing is punishable by a $3,000 fine and up to five years in prison. Injuring public documents is punishable by a $5,000 fine and up to five years in prison.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.