Assumption Parish man cited for killing 49 sea gulls in parking lot

BATON ROUGE - Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited a Labadieville man for alleged Migratory Bird Treaty Act violations on Sept. 23.

Agents cited Jackoby D. Bertot, 30, for taking other than non-game migratory birds no season for killing 49 sea gulls in a New Orleans suburb parking lot.

Agents started the investigation after receiving complaints by business managers in Jefferson about an unknown male in a white pickup truck speeding through a resting flock of sea gulls in the Elmwood area parking lot around 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 2.

Agents were able to obtain the identity of the driver of the vehicle through interviews, witness statements and multiple surveillance videos.

The maximum penalty for violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act is up to a $15,000 fine and six months imprisonment.  Additional fines may be imposed for each bird killed in the alleged incident.