Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Sitka salmon troller hit with multiple charges

The Alaska State Troopers today released the following:

Location: Sitka
Type: Undersized king salmon
On 8/30/16 Alaska Wildlife Troopers responded to a report of undersized king salmon on a commercial power troll vessel, the F/V Seanna, at a local processor. Investigation revealed permit holder and operator Cleveland Eells, 26, of Sitka, had taken five undersized king salmon, which an Alaska Department of Fish and Game representative identified during an offload as undersized. Eells removed the fish from the ADF&G representative's possession before any biological samples (heads) could be retained and dumped the fish, causing them to be wasted. Troopers later contacted Eells and additional undersized king salmon were located onboard which had been concealed at the end of a separate offload. Eells was charged by Alaska Wildlife Troopers and the Sitka District Attorney's Office with two counts of possessing undersized king salmon, failing to relinquish heads of marked king salmon, waste of salmon and unlawful possession. He was arraigned on 9/20/16 on the misdemeanor charges. Investigation continues into further charges.

Friday, October 7, 2016

Troopers cite sea cucumber divers

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Ketchikan
Type: Commercial fish closed waters
On 10/4/16 Alaska Wildlife Troopers cited Darren Swedberg, 45, of Craig, for commercial diving for sea cucumbers in closed waters. Swedberg was observed diving aboard the F/V Pengertre in a closed area of Tongass Narrows. Investigation revealed Swedberg was in possession of 947 pounds of sea cucumbers at the time of the violation. The state has seized proceeds of $3,788 from the sea cucumbers found aboard the vessel.

Location: Juneau
Type: Commercial fish closed period
On 10/3/16 Alaska Wildlife Troopers onboard the P/V Sentry contacted Paul Weltzin, 53, of Juneau, permit holder and diver aboard the F/V Lite Weight, as he was commercial fishing for sea cucumbers near Point Couverden. Investigation revealed Weltzin was still diving after the fishery had closed. Further investigation revealed that a deckhand failed to possess his crewmember license as required. Weltzin was cited for commercial sea cucumber fishing during a closed period.

Monday, October 3, 2016

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

Drunk disturbance, Aug. 21 — The captain from a fishing vessel requested assistance with a drunk and unruly crewman. The crewman refused to stay in his stateroom and was making a general nuisance of himself. Although he was annoying, he had not as yet violated any criminal statutes. Prior to officer's arrival, the individual fled the area. Officers were unsuccessful in finding him. The captain advised he would call if he needed further assistance.

Welfare check, Aug. 26 — Caller reported seeing a flare in the area of Hog Island. A check of vessels in the area did not disclose any in need of emergency assistance. It was later discovered that the flare had been set off by individuals on the beach. The individuals were contacted and reminded that emergency flares were for emergencies only.

Alcohol, Sept. 6 — Officers responded to a report of an individual who was practicing his kung fu in the middle of the roadway. Officers found him wallowing in the mud on the side of the roadway. The individual was taken into protective custody and released to a sober adult.

Death investigation, Sept. 12 — Officer initiated a death investigation into the events surrounding the discovery of a body in a creek.

Civil, Sept. 13 — Caller wanted to pursue charges against her boyfriend for getting fired before he could repay the money he owed her. The caller was advised the matter was not criminal in nature.

Assault, Sept. 16 — Dipsomaniacal caller reported being assaulted. The caller provided numerous accounts of an alleged assault. Each account stretched the bounds of believability. None of the accounts were supported by physical, testimonial or empirical evidence.

Outreach, Sept. 17 — Fire officer assisted in creating a mud pit for a local "Mud Run."

Theft, Sept. 18 — A taxi driver requested assistance with a fare who was unable to pay his fare. The officer was able to negotiate a fair fare for the fare which was paid for by the fare's friend.

Fire response, Sept. 19 — Fire officers responded to an explosion at a local fish processing plant.

Suspicious activity, Sept. 21 — Caller reported that his employee found a human jaw bone while beachcombing. The bone appeared to be archaeological in nature. It was packaged and sent to the state crime lab for confirmation.

Suspicious person, Sept. 22 — Complainant wanted to advise police that the individual he had just fired was a "Bad Man."

Suspicious person, Sept. 23 — Officers contacted an individual under the South Channel Bridge. The individual was found to be fishing for Dungeness crab from shore, without success.