Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries Busts Scumbag

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries have cited 34-year-old Paul Haptonstall for allegedly selling redfish and speckled trout at his residence.

The department had received complaints about Haptonstall advertising his sale of redfish and speckled trout on social media, so agents from the LDWF’s Special Investigations Unit went to Haptonstall’s residence, and purchased 138 redfish, 11 black drum and two speckled trout, the department said.

Agents cited Haptonstall for selling commercial fish without a commercial license, taking commercial fish without a commercial gear license, taking spotted sea trout with a permit, selling spotted sea trout during a closed season and six counts of selling game fish illegally.

Selling commercial fish without a commercial license or gear license each carry a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail. Each count of selling game fish illegally carries a $350 to $500 fine and up to 30 days in jail. Taking spotted sea trout without a permit and selling spotted sea trout during a closed season each carry a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail.

Haptonstall is also facing a total of $3,710.80 in civil restitution for the illegally taken and possessed fish, the department said.