There have been allegations of cheating in a Louisiana hog hunting tournament, and the six victors are now facing criminal charges.
On June 12, the six persons were charged with criminal conspiracy and hunting contest fraud, according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. On top of that, five of them are facing charges related to interstate commerce violations.
Instances of dishonesty in fishing competitions have recently attracted a lot of attention. Given the chance to win a brand-new bass boat and a considerable sum of money, some players may be willing to take the risk. But hog hunting competitions are worth a few hundred dollars, at best. But that is what the Louisiana game wardens have stated happened earlier this year, at least according to their allegations.
Six people have been arrested by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on suspicion of cheating in hog hunting tournaments in Caldwell and Bienville Parishes.
There have been rumors that some individuals from Louisiana brought swine from Texas to Louisiana and then entered them in two contests, winning both times. According to the rules of both events, the pigs must be caught within certain periods and inside the state of Louisiana.
Hunter Web, Trace Davis, Davy Haymon, Nathan Granger, Coby Bushnell, and Don Pollard Jr. were all detained by law enforcement authorities from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF).
Webb, Haymon, Davis, Bushnell, and Pollard Jr.’s cases have been further tarnished by another accusation of interstate commerce violation. Davis has also been charged with obstruction of justice.
Also, Webb was facing charges for hunting with a suspended license.
On February 9 and 10, pigs from Texas were handed in for the Hog Roundup in Bienville Parish, and on March 14 and 16, they were handed in for the Hog Hunt in Caldwell Parish.
The pigs must be caught in Louisiana within the given dates, according to the regulations of both events.
It should be mentioned that Granger willingly turned himself into the Bienville Parish Jail on June 4, and he refrained from competing in the Caldwell hunting contest.
The LDWF has announced that the maximum penalties for anyone convicted of criminal conspiracy and hunting contest fraud are a $3,000 fine and a year in prison.
Anyone found guilty of interstate commerce violations faces a maximum penalty of 120 days in prison and a fine of $950. On the other hand, those who are accused of obstructing justice may face a fine of $10,000 and a maximum jail sentence of five years.
Webb is charged with hunting while his license is suspended; if found guilty, he faces up to $500 in fines and 90 days in prison.