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| NEWS - August 19, 2007 |
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| Hunter receives hefty fine for selling moose, deer, fish |
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By Andre Delaire
Post Staff
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A Lac La Biche hunter will have to pay close to $45,000 in fines for illegally selling fish and big game to an undercover Fish and Wildlife officer.
Steve Fred Ladouceur pleaded guilty in provincial court last Tuesday to five counts of unlawfully trafficking wildlife, and one count of unauthorized selling of fish.
In the spring of 2005, Fish and Wildlife began a two-year undercover operation called Spartan, after receiving more than 65 public complaints alleging illegal trafficking of fish and wildlife.
Lac La Biche provincial court heard that Ladouceur was a person of interest for the undercover agents, and between November 2005 and March 2007, the accused earned himself just under $1,200 after selling whitefish, deer and moose meat to an undercover officer.
Ladouceur received a total fine of $39,000 for the six counts against him to which he pleaded guilty. In addition, the accused will have to pay a $5,850 victim surcharge.
"These fines represent a significant hardship," said Judge Donald Demetrick, adding that it should keep him from engaging in this illegal activity in the future. "It will be a stern reminder to him."
Sitting quietly in the courtroom, Ladouceur had little to say to the judge.
"I accept the fines," were the accused’s only words.
The judge told the Crown and defense attorneys that it’s important the public understand the magnitude of the problem with hunters trafficking wildlife and illegally selling fish. Demetrick continued by telling the court that Ladouceur was likely involved in "numerous transactions" and that he wasn’t simply selling to the undercover agents. The accused was running a "commercial operation," he added.
Demetrick also called Ladouceur’s actions a "disrespect of aboriginal rights."
In addition to the fine, the judge ordered that Ladouceur follow strict guidelines before he goes hunting and fishing. For the next 10 years, he will have to notify Fish and Wildlife officers before hunting, and will further have to contact the same officers within 24 hours of making a kill. The accused will have to follow the same steps when he heads out on the lake and drops a line or net, however, this order is for three years.
Outside the courtroom, Fish and Wildlife officer Kerry Rudneski talked about the hefty fine the judge handed down.
"The judge clearly recognizes that unlawful trafficking of wildlife poses a serious risk to the resource and management effort."
Crown prosecutor Deb Drissel said the Fish and Wildlife division depends on undercover operations like Spartan to catch traffickers because its the type of crime where it’s "easy to escape detection." And when detection is minimal, Drissel said, temptation increases.
It’s a thought echoed by Rudneski, who added that Fish and Wildlife also rely on public complaints to help launch undercover operations and catch traffickers.
"If the public doesn’t notify us about violations like this one, then a lot of them will go undetected," he said. "I really appreciate the number of people in the community who took time to report these types of illegal activity to Fish and Wildlife officers."
If people are aware of trafficking activity, Rudneski asks that they call the Report a Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800.
"It’s a means to report illegal activity," he said. "The program guarantees anonymity and also a reward."
Other residents charged with buying fish and game during the Spartan sting will be in court later this year. |
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