DNR nabs 2 suspects on illegal shrimping charges

Two Hampton County residents ran afoul of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources late Thursday and found themselves facing nearly 100 counts of violating state wildlife laws.

Pasty LaFontaine, 64, and Timothy LaFontaine, 44, were arrested by DNR officers and each charged with 49 counts of violating state wildlife laws.

The two were arrested on misdemeanor charges related to shrimp baiting and the illegal sale of shrimp in Beaufort County as part of a DNR investigation, said Lt. Robert McCullough, department spokesman.

He was unable to provide specifics about the arrests.

"It wasn't anything too egregious, but (the officers) were obviously trying to make a point," he said.

Patsy and Timothy LaFontaine, whose relationship was not specified, were released Friday from the Beaufort County Detention Center on their own recognizance.