Agents Arrest Man for Multiple Violations in West Baton Rouge Parish

Published 1:35 pm Thursday, October 27, 2022

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Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents arrested an Irwinville man for alleged hunting and firearm violations on Oct. 26 in West Baton Rouge Parish.

Agents arrested Hunter W. Varnado, 20, for resisting an officer, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, taking deer during a closed season, hunting deer using illegal methods, and hunting without basic hunting and deer hunting licenses and without deer tags.

Agents received a tip about a convicted felon possessing a firearm while hunting.  Agents investigated the complaint and made contact with Varnado at his residence with a search warrant.

Agents found a 30-06 high-powered rifle in Varnado’s residence.  Varnado then admitted to deer hunting with the rifle.  When the agents attempted to arrest him he resisted several times.

Agents found that Varnado did not possess the required hunting licenses or tags for deer hunting and he is a convicted felon, which prohibits him from being in possession of a firearm.

While searching Varnado’s phone agents found evidence of Varnado harvesting a doe in August with the 30-06 rifle and a six-point buck in September with a crossbow.  Varnado was also found hunting with a high-powered rifle during the open archery season.

Agents seized the rifle and a set of antlers and booked Varnado into the West Baton Rouge Parish Jail.

Resisting an officer brings up to a $500 fine and six months in jail.  Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon carries a $1,000 to $5,000 fine and five to 20 years in jail.  Hunting deer during a closed season brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail.  Hunting deer using illegal methods carries a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail.  Hunting without basic hunting and deer hunting licenses and without tags brings up to a $350 fine for each offense.

Varnado may also face civil restitution totaling $3,249 for the replacement value of the illegally taken doe and buck.

Agents participating in the case are Sgt. Allan Marbury, Corporal Luke Langley and Senior Agent Garrett Kirkland.