There are poachers – and then there are next level poachers who seem to be determined to leave all the wannabe poachers in the dust. Such was the curious case of the poaching police officer from Louisiana.
Louisiana police officer, Javarrea Pouncy, was recently caught cruising the backroads in search of deer at night. It’s common poacher practice among outlaws all across the country. But again, Pouncy was a police officer. He was supposed to be one of the guys upholding the law. Instead, he was in a patrol car, illegally hunting deer at night – without a license.
Even more interesting, a report from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says that Pouncy had three companions in the car with him, one of which was a convicted felon who was carrying a firearm. He, too, was void of a hunting license.
Reports state that wildlife agents heard gunshots while patrolling that evening and came upon a vehicle spotlighting deer in a field on private property. As they approached, they were able to identify the vehicle as a Coushatta Police Department patrol car. The car was driven by Pouncy.
All four members of the poaching party were cited for hunting without a recreational big game hunting license. Convicted felon, Anthony Caldwell, had killed a buck during the incident, earning an additional charge of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
According to the news release, Caldwell, 31, of Coushatta, was convicted in 2011 of illegal use of weapons. He faces a minimum penalty of five years in prison if convicted on the firearms charge. Caldwell may also face civil restitution totaling $2,033 for the buck’s value.
Agents cited all four men on counts of hunting deer during illegal hours, hunting from a moving vehicle and hunting without a big game license. Sheriff’s deputies also cited them with trespassing, authorities said.
What’s the price they’ll pay?
Conviction on all of the charges would carry total maximum penalties of $2,000 in fines and 240 days in jail.
What do you think? Does the punishment fit the crime? Should Pouncy be held to a higher standard?
Comment below and let us know what you think.
