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A star of the History Channel’s Swamp People reality series had a court appearance last week in connection with allegations that he fired a gun from his skiff at a passing shrimp boat because of its wake in a Terrebonne Parish bayou.
But the case was continued to Dec. 12 to give investigators more time to assemble facts and evidence.
According to a Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office report and court records Chase Landry, the 27-year-old son of Troy “choot ‘em” Landry, another star of the show, was on Bayou Chene with alligator carcasses on his skiff when a passing shrimp boat threw a wake. Angered by the risk posed because of the wake, the hunter fired a rifle at the boat, allegedly piercing a gasoline can on the roof of its cabin.
Landry was charged with illegal discharge of a weapon and booked into the Terrebonne Parish jail.
Sheriff Jerry Larpenter’s office issued a statement stating that on Sept. 2 deputies were called in reference to a shot fried at a boat and met the complainant at a launch at Old Spanish Trail in Gibson. St. Mary Parish deputies later stopped a vehicle on US 90, making contact with Landry. After being questioned Landry allegedly admitted firing at the shrimp boat because it would not slow down and threatened to sink his skiff.
Deputies say it is possible the incident was recorded by a camera crew for the show and are attempting to locate any existing video.
The shrimper who was allegedly fired on, Wayne Mayon of Gibson, said he was heading out for a fishing trip on his 35-foot boat, which has a forward cabin, and that he posed no risk to the alligator hunter’s skiff.
“I slow down for boats. It’s not a 100-foot wide canal,” said Mayon, who has been a shrimper for more than 12 years. “He was off to my starboard side and I was more to the port bank. I was 250 yards away from him when he shot me. After he shot I kept going and then I reported it.”
The bayou at the point where he passed the skiff, Mayon said, is about 400-feet wide.
Concerns have been expressed to prosecutors, according to interviews, that if Landry is convicted of the crime he’s been charged with – a felony – his contract with History Channel could be jeopardized. Law enforcement officials say attempts have been made at a plea deal. But prosecutors indicated they have no incentive to back off.
“This case is what it is,” District Attorney Joe Waitz Jr. said. “We are a victim-oriented office. There will be no special treatment.”
Landry’s attorney, Timothy Ellender Jr., said he does not wish to discuss the case since evidence is still being gathered. A spokesman for History Channel refused comment.
