Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents arrested a Lake Charles man for alleged firearm, drug and wildlife violations in Calcasieu Parish on April 11.

Agents arrested Garrett D. Sterling, 33, for filing false public records, possession of schedule IV narcotics, possession of schedule II narcotics, illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm while in possession of controlled dangerous substances, possession of a stolen firearm, using another person’s hunting license, bow hunting without a basic, big game and bow hunting licenses, and failing to comply with deer tagging requirements.

LDWF agents started investigating Sterling in November of 2021 when they received information that he illegally hunted and harvested a deer while using another person’s hunting license.  Agents learned that Sterling harvested the deer with a bow without possessing a basic hunting, big game hunting and bow hunting licenses and used another person’s license and tags.

Agents got an arrest warrant for Sterling in February for filing false public records and made numerous attempts to contact him without any success. Agents then set up surveillance on Sterling’s residence and stopped Sterling in his vehicle leaving his house on April 11.

Agents found Sterling in possession of five firearms of which one was reported stolen and possession of illegal narcotics. He was subsequently booked into the Calcasieu Parish Jail.

Possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance brings up to a $10,000 fine and five to 10 years in jail.  Illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon carries a $1,000 to $5,000 fine and five to 20 years in jail.  Possession of a stolen firearm brings a one to five year jail term.  Filing false public records brings up to a $5,000 fine and five years in jail.

Failing to comply with deer tagging requirements brings up to a $350 fine.  Using another person’s hunting license brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail.  Hunting without basic hunting, big game and bow hunting licenses carry up to a $50 fine for each offense.

Sterling may also face civil restitution totaling up to $2,033 for the replacement value of the illegally taken deer.

Agents participating in the case are Senior Agent Michael Treadway, Lt. Beau Robertson, Sgt. Carl Pickett, Corporal Michael Hebert, Senior Agent Dylan Armentor, and Senior Agent Michael Darbonne.