Louisiana Company Sentenced For Making False Statements

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - LOUISIANA SWAMP TOURS, LLC, a company based in Marrero, Louisiana, was sentenced on November 12, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Darrel James Papillion, to pay a $53,200 fine, after previously pleading guilty on August 27, 2024, to making false statements, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001(a)(2). The Court also ordered that LOUISIANA SWAMP TOURS, LLC be placed on probation for 1 year, and pay a $400 mandatory special assessment fee.

According to court documents, on or about February 25, 2022, LOUISIANA SWAMP TOURS, LLC told investigators from the United States Coast Guard that the hull of a watercraft vessel had been repaired after being damaged in a storm when, in fact, a new hull was built for the watercraft vessel with similar materials and measurements and, the required plans were not submitted to the United States Coast Guard for approval.

This case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Troy Bell of the Violent Crimes Unit.