SORRENTO, LA — A commercial alligator hunter from Sorrento was sentenced on Dec. 7 for alligator violations committed in Ascension Parish.

Judge Marylyn Lambert of the 23rd Judicial District Court in Ascension Parish ordered Arnold Villeneurve, 65, to pay a total of $5,242 in fines.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited Villeneurve on Sept. 2 for possessing nine untagged alligators.

Agents found Villeneurve with two untagged alligators in his possession. After further investigation, agents revealed Villeneurve had seven more untagged previously caught alligators stored in a cooler located at his residence. Agents also seized Villeneurve's 25 unused alligator tags from the 2011 season.