Busted LMAO!

[ColdWaterFshr]

What is the felony? Bass-tournament fraud?? Send him to Leavenworth!

I'd be hiring the best bass-tourney fraud lawyer I could find, Johnny Cockroach or whatever his name is, and I'd figure a way to beat that rap.

Wayne County authorities speculating on 2-7 years if convicted is the funniest part of the whole article.

[Don]

I can't help but wonder where he placed and how much he has won in previous tournaments.

Don

[taxidermist]

I don't know about MO Law, but its not a game violation. It is fraud plain and simple.

Now depending on what the prize won, it may be only a fine. I don't think for this type of fraud you can take his personal property.

I don't know where or how the law comes into play but tying up the fish may not be a game violation, he caught them legally and just came back another day to get them.

Its certainly not as bad as some guides I know that keep big bass in cages and charge their customers for them. A pic is $15.00 and to keep it $150.00 plus tip. I think this is worse but a crime is a crime thats why there are felonies and misdomeanres and they are classified into categories.

So what game law did he violate?

The tournament people could have fraud charges filled, but the game warden being involved may have caused all charges to be dropped because of it not being a game violation. I think the sheriffs office should have handled it.

Yes, I know any law officier can make the arrest in most states.

Anyone know the regs about this? Or does it fall under fraud or just a civil suite?

NO speculations just facts.

[jdmidwest]

I believe the charge was stealing by deceit. As far as game laws, I could think of a couple, leaving fish unattended, not properly marked with the proper information. Of course the dee dee dee may have left his name and address and that was how they caught him. The Water Patrol was the arresting party, so who knows if there was any game violations.