Man could face 10 years in jail for lying about where he caught a fish, agents say

3 hours ago

WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News Staff,

LEESVILLE, La. (KPLC/Gray News) – A Louisiana man is behind bars after committing fraud against a fishing program to get a free replica, agents said.

A Louisiana man could face 10 years in jail for allegedly lying about where he caught a fish.(Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office)

Jody Kyle Jeane, 40, is accused of catching a fish in Vernon Lake and submitting it to the Toledo Bend Lake Association’s Lunker Bass Program. The program provides replicas to anglers who catch and release bass in Toledo Bend Lake.

Jeane allegedly signed official documentation, falsely claiming he caught the fish in Toledo Bend Lake.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents saw Jeane and another man loading a bass boat onto a trailer while patrolling at the Hickory Ridge launch on March 15. Jeane allegedly offered to show the agents a 12-pound bass he caught, saying it was his personal best and he planned to have it mounted.

The next day, agents saw a social media post from the Lunker Bass Program showing a photo of Jeane posing with the same bass, which they recognized by its unique tail markings, according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. He was also wearing the same clothes.

The Lunker Bass Program provides free fiberglass replicas to anglers who catch and release bass weighing at least 10 pounds on Toledo Bend Lake. Anglers must present their fish live at a certified weigh station and sign official documentation verifying the location, date and time of the catch.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents obtained an arrest warrant for forgery and attempted theft.

Jeane admitted to catching the fish in Vernon Lake and was booked into the Vernon Parish jail on April 1, agents said.

Jeane is now in custody in Sabine Parish. Attempted theft carries a fine of up to $1,000 and six months in jail, while forgery carries a fine of up to $5,000 and up to 10 years in jail.

The Toledo Bend Lake Association said there may be a possibility moving forward that “anyone submitting an entry to the TBLA Lunker Program will be subjected to a polygraph if deemed necessary.”

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