Louisiana Man Arrested for Multiple Wildlife Violations Including Taking Alligators from Areas not Authorized

Louisiana – On May 27, 2022, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reported that on May 16, 2022, enforcement agents arrested a Denham Springs man for alleged wildlife violations in Iberville Parish.

Agents cited David A. Cavaretta, 59, for taking alligators from areas not authorized, taking non-game quadrupeds during a closed trapping season, possessing fur bearing animals without a license, and violating commercial rules and regulations. On April 24, 2022, agents began an investigation into Cavaretta after receiving information that he was trapping and harvesting nuisance animals for a chemical plant in Iberville Parish without the necessary nuisance animal permits or licenses. Cavaretta had been working as a nuisance control operator for the chemical company for several months without any of the necessary nuisance control operator permits or alligator tags, according to an investigation.

Caveretta had previously been cited and convicted in 2016 for various alligator hunting violations.

Agents from the LDWF obtained a search warrant for Cavaretta’s home, cell phone, and taxidermy shop. Agents also obtained an arrest warrant for him on over 400 counts of illegal operations violations. The warrants were served on May 16, and Cavaretta was arrested and booked into the Iberville Parish Jail. Additional charges are possible.

Taking alligators from non-approved areas and taking non-game quadrupeds during a closed season is punishable by a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Possession of fur bearing animals without a license is punishable by a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail. Each violation of commercial rules and regulations carries a $350 fine.

Sgt. Thomas Ashley, Corporal Luke Langley, Sgt. Ezekiel Talbert, Sgt. Dale Wheat, and Corporal Chelsea Kling are the agents involved in the case.

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