Louisiana Man Arrested for His Alleged 5th Offense of Oyster Harvesting from a Polluted Area and Other Crimes

Louisiana - A Louisiana man has been arrested for 5th offense of oyster harvesting from a polluted area, 2nd offense of fishing while under license revocation, intentional concealment of fish, and fishing without a basic season or saltwater fishing license.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) reported on January 23, 2023, that enforcement division agents arrested a Port Sulphur, Louisiana man on January 13 for alleged oyster violations in Plaquemines Parish.

Jeremiah Phillips, 42, was arrested for his fifth offense of taking oysters from a polluted area, his second offense of fishing while under license revocation for unpaid civil restitution, intentional concealment of fish, and fishing without a basic season or saltwater fishing license.

Agents were on patrol near Port Sulphur when they noticed Phillips harvesting oysters from a closed area that the Louisiana Department of Health had deemed polluted. Phillips dumped his oysters over the side of his vessel after becoming aware that he was being watched by agents.

Agents made contact with Philips, who was arrested and booked into the Plaquemines Parish Jail for his fifth offense of harvesting oysters from a polluted area.

Taking oysters from a polluted area and intentional concealment of illegal fish each carries up to a $950 fine and 120 days in jail. Because this is his fifth offense of taking oysters from a polluted area, the court will order Phillips to harvest only from a vessel equipped with a vessel monitoring system for the next ten years. Phillips' oyster harvester license will also be revoked, and no new licenses will be issued for a period of ten years from the date of the conviction. Phillips will also be sentenced to up to 120 hours of community service.

A second offense of fishing while license is revoked for failure to pay civil restitution carries an $800 fine and 60 to 90 days in jail. The intentional concealment of illegal fish is punishable by a $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Fishing without a basic or saltwater fishing license can result in a $50 fine.

Agents physically seized the small vessel and all of the equipment on board for oyster harvesting. The case will be prosecuted by District Attorney Charles Ballay. Senior Agent Shea Schexnaydre and Lt. Adam Young are the case agents involved in this case.

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