Three Georgia Men Cited in Louisiana for Having More Than Double the Legal Limit

Louisiana – Three Georgia men were cited in Louisiana for red drum fishing infractions after being found with 134 red drum filets, more than double the legal limit.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) reported on January 4, 2023, that on December 29, enforcement agents cited three Georgia men for alleged red drum infractions in Plaquemines Parish.

Agents cited Cole T. Kennedy, 18, Chapman Ward, 18, and Steven Ward, 51, all of Newnan, Georgia, with having more than the legal limit of red drum (off water).

On December 28, agents responded to a complaint regarding the individuals making repeated excursions catching large quantities of red drum.

Agents responded the next day, while the subjects were at a camp off Hermitage Bayou. Agents discovered the males in possession of 134 red drum filets, bringing their total to 67 red drum.

Agents discovered that the males captured the 67 red drum during a two-day period after interviewing them. The men’s lawful two-day possession restriction was 30 red drums, putting them 37 red drums over their legal possession limit.

The penalty for exceeding the red drum limit is a $950 fine and 120 days in jail, plus $25 for each red drum beyond the limit. In addition to any appropriate fines, the men’s fishing permits will be canceled. Men will also be barred from obtaining new fishing licenses for at least a year.

In addition, the offenders could face civil restitution of $979 for the illegally removed red drum.

Lt. Adam Young and Corporal Blaine Wagner are the agents involved in the case.

A person is innocent until proven guilty.