Thursday, September 29, 2011

Ketchikan gillnetter charged with illegal fishing

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Ketchikan
Type: Commercial fish closed waters
On 9/25/11 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Ketchikan Post, cited Thomas Widmyer, 40, of Ketchikan, for commercial fishing for salmon with a drift gillnet in the closed waters of Neets Bay. A mandatory court appearance was set for 10/11/11 in Ketchikan District Court.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

Assault, Sept. 19 — Officers investigated a report of an assault between several intoxicated men at a local processing plant. Officers determined no assault had occurred, but that the complainant had outstayed his welcome.

Suspicious activity, Sept. 21 — Officers attempted to locate several individuals who were spreading false rumors about a tsunami headed towards Unalaska.

Domestic disturbance, Sept. 22 — Officers investigated a report of an intoxicated female causing a disturbance at a local processing plant. Joycelyn John, 25, was arrested and charged with assault and furnishing alcohol to a minor.

Ambulance request, Sept. 24 — EMS assisted with transporting a patient from a fishing vessel to the clinic.

Trespass, Sept. 25 — Michael Silipa, 22, was arrested and charged with criminal trespass after he was discovered on UniSea property by plant security.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Charter captain cited on multiple counts

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Ketchikan
Type: Charter violations
On 9/21/11 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Ketchikan Post, cited charter captain and Aurora Sportfishing owner Michael Anthony Knuteson, 31, of Ketchikan, for the following: illegally taking halibut for guided sportfish purposes in a manner inconsistent with International Pacific Halibut Commission and National Marine Fisheries Service regulations; aiding in the commission of a client violation by retaining an illegal halibut on a guided trip; possessing a halibut not of legal size; failing to submit sportfish charter logbooks to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in the time specified; failing to complete sportfish charter logbooks; and transporting on deck four persons under 13 years of age who were not wearing personal floatation devices.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Three charged with herring pound violations

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka
Type: Fail to mark commercial herring pound or web support
On 9/19/11 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Sitka Post, issued citations after investigation revealed the following persons failed to mark herring pound equipment during this spring's Hoonah Sound spawn-on-kelp fishery. Each defendant is scheduled to appear for arraignment on 9/27/11 in Sitka District Court.

Shane R. Lohr, 29, of Petersburg
Laura Mastrella, 49, of Haines
Steven T. Davis, 51, of Petersburg

Monday, September 19, 2011

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

Ambulance request, Sept. 14 — EMS volunteers responded to a vessel bringing an individual in with severe crush injuries.

Animal, Sept. 15 — An at-large dog came to Public Safety, as she has become aware of the tasty treats available to friendly canines. Her owner was contacted and picked her up shortly thereafter.

Assault, Sept. 16, 0540 hours — A belligerent and intoxicated male who was threatening and vulgar to others was contacted at a processing facility.

Trespass, Sept. 16, 0635 hours — Above individual was trespassed from the processing facility. Officers stood by while he gathered his belongings.

Drunk disturbance, Sept. 16 — Caller reported an intoxicated crewmember who had been fired was causing problems. He had already been banned from the hotel for sneaking into a room. He was not violent, but he was provoking the violent tendencies in others. Officers convinced him to stay in his state room for the rest of the night.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Reports of marine engine fraud investigated

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Homer
Type: Assist agency outside of Alaska
On 9/14/11 at 1230 hours, the Alaska State Troopers began assisting Georgia authorities on a fraudulent business practices investigation where marine engines were ordered from a shop in Georgia via the Internet. A Homer resident received engines that were used and not the engines promised. A Wrangell resident has described similar fraud. The findings of the investigation in Alaska will be forwarded to Georgia authorities to aid them in their investigation.

Herring fisherman nets $3,000 fine after guilty plea

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka
Type: Update — commercial fish closed season
On 9/8/11 Nicholas Johanson, 61, of Seattle, pled guilty to one count of commercial fishing in closed waters in Southeast Alaska. Johanson was charged on 4/7/11 during the 2011 Sitka herring sac roe fishery. He was fined $6,000 with $3,000 suspended. Johanson also was placed on probation for two years, not to commit any commercial fishing violations during this period.

Troopers spot seiner in closed waters near creek

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Pavlof Bay, Alaska Peninsula
Type: Commercial fish closed waters
On 9/14/11 King Salmon-based Alaska Wildlife Troopers served a summons to William J. Wiebe, 58, of Homer, for commercial fishing with salmon seine gear in closed waters within 500 yards of the mouth of Settlement Creek in Pavlof Bay. Wiebe was acting as skipper and permit holder aboard the F/V Namorada when the violation was observed by AWT on a fisheries patrol in a state aircraft on Aug. 16. Arraignment is set for 9/27/11 in Valdez District Court.

Troopers: PWS cod fisherman lacked registration

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Cordova, Prince William Sound
Type: Groundfish registration
On 9/14/11 Efery G. Reutov, 48, of Wasilla, operator and permit holder on the F/V Sea Dancer, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for operating groundfish gear for Pacific cod within the registration area without a valid nonexclusive area registration. Arraignment set for 10/26/11 in Cordova District Court.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Sitka salmon troller fined after guilty plea

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka, Silver Bay
Type: Update — commercial fish closed waters
On 9/7/11 Victor Littlefield pled guilty to one count of commercial fishing in closed waters. He was fined $3,000 with $1,500 suspended, ordered to pay $724.80 in restitution to the state, and placed on probation for one year. On 6/24/11 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Sitka Post, observed Littlefield, 38, of Sitka, take king salmon in closed waters of Bear Cove while operating commercial hand troll gear.

NOAA, researchers settle case of unpermitted Steller sea lion take, group to pay $9,000 penalty

Here's a press release from the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement.

Three herring pounders net $300 fines after pleas

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka
Type: Update — fail to mark herring pound or web support
On 9/13/11 the following defendants pled no contest in Sitka District Court to failing to mark commercial herring pounds or web support. The charges resulted from commercial herring pound activities during April and May. Each defendant was fined $600 with $300 suspended and placed on one-year probation not to commit commercial fishing violations.

Matthew Carle Sr., 61, of Hydaburg
Charles Christiansen, 55, of Petersburg
Oliver Christiansen, 28, of Petersburg

Sitka Dungeness crabber cited over tender use

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka, Hoonah Sound
Type: Operate commercial Dungeness gear from tender
On 9/13/11 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Sitka Post, cited David A. Coleman, 53, of Sitka, for operating commercial Dungeness crab gear from a tender. Previous investigation and observations revealed Coleman was using two vessels to operate commercial Dungeness gear with one of the vessels being registered as a tender for Dungeness. Arraignment set for 9/27/11 in Sitka District Court.

Dutch Harbor man accused of eLandings infraction

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Dutch Harbor
Type: Fail to initiate an initial landing report
On 9/12/11 Dutch Harbor Wildlife Troopers issued Rocky Christopher Caldero, 43, of Dutch Harbor, a summons for failing to ensure an initial landing report was electronically generated within the eLandings system after a vessel had completed its delivery of fish. Arraignment set for 10/5/11 in Unalaska District Court.

Cordova troopers issue two CFEC-related citations

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Cordova, Eshamy Bay
Type: Fail to imprint fish ticket with CFEC card
On 8/17/11 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Cordova Post, contacted Anthony Barnes, 33, of Cordova. Investigation revealed that Barnes had delivered commercially caught salmon and failed to have his 2011 Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission card imprinted on the fish ticket. Arraignment set for 9/28/11 in Cordova District Court.

Location: Cordova
Type: Fail to obtain CFEC permit
On 9/12/11 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Cordova Post, contacted Toni Bocci, 55, of Cordova. Investigation revealed that Bocci had failed to obtain a 2011 Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission permit prior to operating longline gear, possessing commercially caught fish, and subsequent delivery and sale of the fish. Arraignment set for 9/28/11 in Cordova District Court.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

EMS other services, Sept. 4, 1945 hours — EMS personnel accompanied a patient from his vessel to the dock.

Ambulance request, Sept. 4, 2111 hours — EMS personnel provided transport to a patient coming to town from a vessel at sea.

Domestic disturbance, Sept. 5 — Caller reported he had been struck in the face after he got in an argument with a housemate over dirty dishes, frying fish and open windows. Officers received conflicting accounts of events and were unable to determine what if any criminal event may have occurred, and told both boys they needed to just get along.

Suspicious person, Sept. 6, 0242 hours — Officer contacted an intoxicated man lying on the ground near the South Channel Bridge. The man refused all offers of transportation and insisted on walking back to his vessel.

Domestic disturbance, Sept. 7, 0717 hours — Two men who had previously argued about dirty dishes and fried fish continued their disagreement, with one man spitting in the other's face, and being punched in the face in response. Victor T. Tamasoaalii, 53, of Oregon, was charged with one count of assault.

DUI, Sept. 7 — Caller reported a man allegedly drinking and driving near the UniSea processing plant. An officer contacted the suspect, who was not driving and had not been drinking.

Assault, Sept. 7, 2054 hours — Two men, apparently unable to get past their puerile differences over fried fish and dirty dishes, continued antagonizing one another. An officer advised the two men, again, to stay clear of one another after it was determined that no crime had been committed.

DUI, Sept. 8 — Peter J. Albee, 27, of Seattle, was charged with driving under the influence after an officer stopped him for having expired registration and learned that he had been drinking. Albee failed field sobriety tests and in spite of having a "Get out of Jail Free" card in his possession, was arrested and taken to jail.

Disorderly conduct, Sept. 8, 1956 hours — The fried fish and dirty dishes men continued shouting at one another and annoying their fellow housemates.

Assault, Sept. 8 — A man who complimented a bar maid on the way she smelled had the opportunity to smell equally nice a few minutes later when the bar maid returned to his table and spritzed him with her perfume. The man, who was offended by the bar maid's response, was advised by an officer that the behavior did not constitute a crime.

Fire response, Sept. 9, 0242 hours — Fire personnel responded to the Alyeska Seafoods processing facility, where a fire had been ignited by a welding machine.

Ambulance request, Sept. 9, 0245 hours — EMS personnel responded to a fire scene.

Assistance rendered, Sept. 9, 0246 hours — Officers assisted with evacuation and patient transport at a fire scene.

Criminal mischief, Sept. 9, 0724 hours — One of the fried fish and dirty dishes boys reported that someone, presumably his other half, had cut several of his jackets with a knife. Under investigation.

Suspicious activity, Sept. 9 — Caller reported steam in a parking lot and asked that an officer determine the source of it.

Domestic disturbance, Sept. 9, 2031 hours — The fried fish and dirty dishes boys called police to complain that bad words had been directed at one another in the common kitchen of their boarding house. Officers again encouraged the two males to engage in age-appropriate behavior.

Public safety, Sept. 10, 0200 hours — An officer advised two inebriates that it might not be in their best interest to walk in the middle of the road at night in dark clothing, especially when using headlights of oncoming vehicles to examine photographs instead of stepping out of the way.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Troopers charge 1,065-pound sablefish overage

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Cordova
Type: Exceed sablefish quota
On 9/8/11 Lyle G. Myrvold, 57, of Wasilla, was cited by Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Cordova Post, for exceeding his Prince William Sound state sablefish quota by 1,065 pounds. Arraignment set for 9/28/11 in Cordova District Court.

Two shrimpers charged with fish ticket violations

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Prince William Sound
Type: Fish tickets
On 9/8/11 Larry D. Gilman, 51, of Whittier, was cited by Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Cordova Post, for failing to submit fish tickets for commercial shrimp deliveries as required by regulation. Arraignment set for 9/28/11 in Cordova District Court.

Location: Prince William Sound
Type: Fish tickets
On 9/8/11 Shawn M. Phillips, 41, of Whittier, was cited by Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Cordova Post, for failing to submit fish tickets for commercial shrimp deliveries as required by regulation. Arraignment set for 9/28/11 in Cordova District Court.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Dutch Harbor report

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Suspicious person, Aug. 28 — Caller reported a youth in army fatigues was crawling around the softball field and shooting at gulls. They boy's parents said their son was hunting "pheasants," and believed that new ordinances allowed such activity in the city limits. An officer advised them of the rules pertaining to firearms use in the municipality.

Drunk disturbance, Aug. 28 — Taxi driver took her drunken, nonpaying passenger to the police station and requested assistance getting the money that was owed to her. The drunk, who said he had money on his boat and would pay the driver if she took him to it, was advised that he would be arrested if he failed to do exactly that.

Animal, Aug. 30 — Animal control officer responding to a barking dog complaint found the dog owner's grandson sleeping outside in a doghouse.

Welfare check, Aug. 30 — An officer checked on a young boy who had earlier been sleeping in a doghouse, and learned that the boy did not feel well and missed school on a regular basis, and that his mother was busy with her boyfriend. Information passed on to Alaska Children's Services.

Trespass, Sept. 1 — Officer issued a trespass advisement, per Westward Seafoods management, to a man who was no longer welcome on any of the business property.

Public safety, Sept. 2, 0300 hours — Community evacuation following the issuance of a tsunami warning for the Unalaska area. The warning was canceled and residents returned to their homes a short time later.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Southeast charter guide fined $520 after plea

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Gustavus
Type: Conviction
On 8/25/11 Steve E. Petty, 42, of Gustavus, entered a no contest plea in Hoonah District Court to one count of failing to carry proof of a sportfish charter business license and one count of making a false statement on his 2011 sportfish license. Petty was initially contacted as he actively guided paying sportfish charter clients near Goose Island in Icy Strait on 7/16/11. Petty was fined a total of $520 for both offenses.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Two charged at Yakutat with fish ticket violations

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Yakutat
Type: File false fish tickets
On 8/28/11 Alaska Wildlife Troopers contacted Abigail Burgoyne, 29, of Tigard, Ore., in Yakutat. Investigation revealed that Burgoyne had filed two fish tickets a few days previously using an invalid Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission permit card. She was issued two summonses to appear on 9/22/11 in Yakutat District Court.

Location: Yakutat
Type: File false fish ticket
On 8/28/11 Alaska Wildlife Troopers from Yakutat issued a summons to Fred Grant, 71, of Sitka, for filing a false fish ticket. Arraignment set for 9/22/11 in Yakutat District Court.

Two cited at Kodiak over lack of crew license

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Kodiak
Type: Crew license
On 8/21/11 Jeffery Winegarden, 43, was cited by Alaska Wildlife Troopers for failing to possess a valid commercial crewmember license.

Location: Kodiak
Type: Employ unlicensed crewmember
On 8/21/11 Freddie Christiansen, 51, was cited by Alaska Wildlife Troopers for employing an unlicensed crew member.

Sitka troller charged, coho proceeds seized

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka
Type: Commercial fish closed waters
On 8/28/11 at 0928 hours, Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Sitka Post, contacted the F/V Chancey commercial power trolling for salmon in closed waters of Ushk Bay. Permit holder Patrick Parrish, 50, of Sitka, was issued a summons to appear in Sitka District Court on one count of commercial trolling in closed waters. The state seized $142.80 in proceeds for illegally taken coho salmon.

Southeast seiner accused of fishing closed area

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Hoonah
Type: Commercial fish closed area
On 8/23/11 Jared Bright, 36, of Petersburg, was cited by Hoonah Wildlife Troopers for commercial purse seine fishing in a closed area. Troopers on 7/3/11 observed Bright fishing onboard the F/V Obsession outside of the legal fishing area in District 13C. Bright is scheduled for arraignment on 9/6/11 in Sitka District Court.