Federal grand jury indicts rockfish fisherman

Steven Carr, fishing out of Kodiak, in 2008 caught 761,421 pounds of Pacific Ocean perch worth more than $120,000.

Trouble was, he lied about where he caught the fish, say federal authorities who today announced Carr's indictment.

Read more details here.

Vessel master indicted in Kodiak pollution case

From the U.S. attorney's office in Anchorage:

March 22, 2012

Master of F/V Chisik Island charged with polluting Kodiak harbor

ANCHORAGE — U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that Victor Allen Buchanan, of Kodiak, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Anchorage for discharging pollutants into St. Paul Harbor, Kodiak.

The two-count indictment named Buchanan, 56, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, the 86-foot commercial fishing vessel Chisik Island is owned and operated by Buchanan. He is charged with discharging oil-contaminated bilge water and raw sewage into St. Paul Harbor from his vessel between Sept. 30 and Oct. 4, 2011.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Retta Randall, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated that the law provides for a maximum total sentence of three years in prison, with maximum fines of $25,000 per day of violation.

Under the federal sentencing guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Marine Safety Detachment in Kodiak, the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Sherman, and the Coast Guard Investigative Service conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Homer man indicted, might lose boat in drug case

Here's a press release from the U.S. attorney's office.

Cordova fisherman indicted on tax violations

Here's a press release from the U.S. attorney's office in Anchorage.

Two indicted in subsistence halibut scheme

From the Justice Department:

July 24, 2009

Juneau men indicted by federal grand jury for illegal halibut sales

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that David Skrzynski and Jason Maroney, both of Juneau, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Anchorage on charges of violating the Lacey Act by selling halibut that was taken in violation of federal regulations.

The nine-count indictment names Skrzynski, 58, and Maroney, 38, as the sole defendants.

According to the nine-count indictment, Skrzynski holds a valid Subsistence Halibut Registration Certificate (otherwise known as a “SHARC card”), which allows him to fish for halibut for subsistence purposes. However, federal regulations prohibit the commercial sale of subsistence halibut.

Maroney was the owner of Doc Waters Pub in Juneau. The indictment alleges a continuing scheme from July 2005 to February 2008 where Skrzynski sold subsistence halibut to Maroney for resale in Doc Waters Pub.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated that the law provides for a maximum total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.

The indictment also includes a criminal forfeiture count for Skrzynski’s vessel, the Drommen.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Law Enforcement, Alaska Enforcement Division, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.