11/22/2005
Kip Lastrapes, 44, of Breaux Bridge entered into a one-count plea agreement on
Nov. 15 in U.S. District Court for the Western District in Lafayette for taking
alligators in violation of the Endangered Species Act.
On Sept. 7, 2004, three of Lastrapes' alligator hunting helpers were cited by
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents for
taking alligators on property for which they did not possess alligator harvest
tags.
An investigation resulted in the determination that the helpers were illegally
taking alligators from this area under instructions by Lastrapes. It was also
determined that this activity had taken place in previous years.
United States Magistrate Michael Hill sentenced Lastrapes to 180 days of home
confinement and to pay the cost of electronic monitoring, three years of
supervised probation with the provision that he cannot hunt alligators, and to
pay a $25 assessment fee. In addition, Lastrapes was ordered to make a $10,000
donation to Louisiana Operation Game Thief, Inc., the state's poacher
apprehension organization.
Prosecuting the case for the government was Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke Walker.
Agents participating in the case were Sgt. James D. Rhodes, Senior Agent Jordan
Bayham and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Special Agent Philip Siragusa.
|