Three men were cited for alleged wildlife management violations in Louisiana's Ascension Parish, according to a release from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF). The individuals, identified as Yeferson Misael Mejia Rosales, 22, Josue Alexander Fernandez Cordova, 21, and Julio Amaya Fernandez, 27, all hailing from Honduras, were reportedly found on the Maurepas Swamp WMA without the required permits for access and self-clearing.
On October 23, LDWF agents conducting a patrol heard gunshots while on the Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area, encountering Rosales with a pistol and Cordova with a rifle, and upon questioning, the two men admitted to target shooting in an area not designated for such activity and also acknowledged they did not possess WMA access or self-clearing permits; the release from the LDWF states. In light of these violations, the trio faces potential fines of up to $350 for each offense.
In a routine check for compliance with local laws, it was discovered that the individuals' immigration status was unknown, leading agents to notify the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The three men were subsequently taken into custody by ICE officers for further investigation regarding their immigration status and illegal possession of firearms, according to the LDWF report.
The enforcement effort was led by Sgt. Edward Ridgel and Corporal Jerod Coats of the LDWF; details of which can be found in their official statement. This incident highlights the enforcement of regulations designed to protect both the natural resources and ensure the safety of visitors in Wildlife Management Areas across Louisiana.
