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MISSISSIPPI RESIDENTS SENTENCED FOR LACEY ACT VIOLATIONS

Submitted by SA Stephen Clark

On August 22, 2005, TERRY'S SEAFOOD INC., of Lakeshore, Mississippi was sentenced for a single count Felony violation of the Lacey Act in United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana by United States District Judge Eldon E. Fallon.

TERRY'S SEAFOOD INC., was ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $2,500.00. and also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $17,654.00 to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation. In addition, TERRY'S SEAFOOD INC. was ordered to pay a mandatory special assessment fee in the amount of $400.00. as well as serve a term of probation for a period of three years. Total amount of fines, restitution and special assessment fees paid by TERRY'S SEAFOOD INC. was $20,554.00.

On 11/29/2005, KEATH LADNER, owner of TERRY'S SEAFOOD INC., and commercial fisherman RAYMOND GREEN, were each sentenced for separate single count Misdemeanor violations of the Lacey Act in United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana by United States Magistrate Judge Alma Chasez.

KEATH LADNER of Bay St. Louis, Ms. was sentenced to home detention for a period of one month. In addition, LADNER was sentenced to probation for a period of two years. As an additional probation term, LADNER was ordered to participate in an orientation and life skills program as directed by the U.S. Probation Office. LADNER was also ordered to pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $25.00.

RAYMOND GREEN of Lakeshore, Ms. was sentenced to probation for a period of one year. As an additional probation term, GREEN was ordered to participate in an orientation and life skills program as directed by the U.S. Probation Office. GREEN was also ordered to pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $25.00.

Assistant United States Attorney Brian Marcelle handled the prosecution of all subjects.

This joint investigation involving United States Fish & Wildlife Service Special Agents and Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Enforcement Agents documented a scheme of Lacey Act violations occurring in 2002, during which time GREEN took oysters from Louisiana public oyster reefs and then unlawfully, and for the purpose of sale, transported the oysters from Louisiana to Mississippi, and landed the oysters in violation of Louisiana law at TERRY'S SEAFOOD INC., Lakeshore, MS.

A total of approximately ten different dates were documented by Special Agents and Enforcement Agents, including a total of 679 sacks of oysters, with a total retail value of $17,654.00. TERRY'S SEAFOOD INC., and LADNER, received and purchased the oysters while knowing that the oysters were required by Louisiana law to be landed in Louisiana.