Basile teen charged second time with illegally killing gator
May 29, 2012 | 2371 views | 0 0 comments | 20 20 recommendations | email to a friend | print
OAKDALE – A Basile teenager has been arrested a second time in five months on charges of killing an alligator during closed season.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents arrested Michael R. Gaspard, 18, on May 21.

He was cited forl second offense taking or possessing an alligator during a closed season, operating an unregistered motor vehicle without insurance and booked him into the Allen Parish Jail.

Senior Agent Wendel Vaughn allegedly observed Gaspard load a 5-foot alligator, which he caught on the Calcasieu River, into the extended cab portion of a small white truck.

When Vaughn approached the vehicle he found the alligator behind the front seat with a hook and line still in its mouth. Gaspard and a 15-year-old juvenile admitted to catching the alligator.

Vaughn then determined that Gaspard was issued citations by LDWF Agents on Jan. 26, 2012 for the possession of alligators during a closed season.

The juvenile was issued a citation for taking or possessing an alligator during a closed season and released to a family member.

Gaspard and the juvenile each face fines ranging from $400 to $950 and up to 120 days in jail for possessing an alligator during a closed season.

Operating a motor vehicle without a registration brings a fine up to $100 and up to 30 days in jail.

Operating a vehicle without insurance carries a $50 fine. Gaspard was also charged civil restitution value of the alligator totaling $375.80.

Alligator season in Allen Parish runs 30 days beginning the first Wednesday in September.

Gaspard’s trial date for his first offense of possessing an alligator during a closed season has been set for July
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