The trickle of outdoor contest winners accused of foul play has continued, with six Louisiana men accused of fraud in two state-run hog-hunting contests. The allegations are that the hogs turned in for the contest were actually caught in neighboring Texas. Given the nature of the charges, however, it does not stop there. Five of the men are also charged with violating interstate commerce, given that the hogs allegedly crossed state lines. Two of the men face still further charges—one for obstructing justice and the other for hunting on a suspended hunting license.
LDWF agents received information about the six subjects catching wild hogs in Texas before two different hog-hunting contests in Louisiana and entering them into the contests, which they won. During the investigation, agents obtained evidence that revealed the six subjects were catching hogs in Texas to be used for the Dingler Wild Hog Roundup in Bienville Parish on Feb. 9-10, and the Swamp Time Hog Hunt in Caldwell Parish from March 14-16.
One of the subjects turned himself in on June 4 to the Bienville Parish Jail since he did not participate in the Caldwell Parish hog hunting contest. The five other subjects turned themselves in on June 7 into the Bienville Parish Jail and the Caldwell Parish Jail.
The rules of both hog-hunting contests stipulated that the hogs must be caught during the contest dates and be caught in Louisiana. Hunting contest fraud brings up to a $3,000 fine and one year in jail. Criminal conspiracy carries a fine in the same manner as the offense contemplated by the conspirators. Violating interstate commerce brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Obstruction of justice carries up to a $10,000 fine and five years in jail. Hunting under a hunting license suspension brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail.
For more on the story, visit wlf.louisiana.gov.
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