Two Men Arrested For Harassment of Fishermen in Plaquemines Parish

Published 2:53 pm Tuesday, November 1, 2022

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Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents arrested two men for alleged harassment of anglers in Plaquemines Parish on Oct. 26.

Agents arrested Casey Russell, 38, of Slidell, and Daniel Russell, 38, of New Orleans, after complaints from shrimpers in the False River area of Plaquemines Parish.

LDWF agents and Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived on the scene and were provided videos and statements of both Russell’s throwing glass bottles at fishermen trying to fish the same area.  Additionally, there was video of the Russell’s cutting in front of vessels and dropping shrimp frames in front of them.  At one point in the video, the Russel’s are purposely entangling the frame of another boat causing damage to the shrimper’s frame.

The Russell’s were also charged with criminal mischief and criminal damage.  Agents and deputies booked them into the Plaquemines Parish Jail.

This is Casey Russell’s third offense for harassment of persons lawfully fishing and Daniel Russell’s second offense for harassment of persons lawfully fishing.

Casey Russell faces up to a $1,000 fine and forfeiture to the commission of anything seized in connection with the violation.  Daniel Russell faces up to an $800 fine and forfeiture to the commission of anything seized in connection with the violation.  Criminal mischief carries up to a $500 fine and six months in jail.  Criminal damage brings up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail.

In addition to any other penalty, for a second or subsequent violation of the same provision of law, the penalty imposed may include revocation of the permit or license under which the violation occurred for the period for which it was issued and barring of the issuance of another permit or license for that same period.

The case will forwarded to District Attorney Charles Ballay for prosecution.  LDWF Agents participating in the case are Sgt. Villere Reggio and Senior Agent Shea Schexnaydre.  PPSO deputies participating in the case are Sgt. David Morgan and Sgt. Bo Serigne.