Man arrested at Ketchikan on drug, gun charges

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Ketchikan
Type: Drug search
On 8/21/21 at approximately 1147 hours, a boarding team with the U.S. Coast Guard in Ketchikan contacted AST to request that a Troopers K-9 team respond to the Thomas Basin harbor in Ketchikan for a canine sniff of the commercial fishing vessel Brown Sugar, which was being operated by the owner and sole occupant James Vandebunte, 58, of Wrangell. The USCG boarding team had discovered illegal drug paraphernalia and brought the vessel to the harbor for further investigation. AST obtained a search warrant prior to searching the vessel. Among other drug items seized were 180 net grams of suspected methamphetamine, multiple zip-top plastic baggies, digital scales, and a loaded .357-caliber pistol. Vandebunte (a convicted felon) was arrested for misconduct involving a controlled substance and misconduct involving weapons. Investigation continues.

Togiak man accused of setnetting without permit

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Togiak
Type: Commercial fishing violations

On 8/3/21 Dillingham Alaska Wildlife Troopers opened an investigation into the sale of commercially caught salmon by individuals who had not been issued Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission commercial fishing permits. The investigation showed Anthony Forbes, 25, of Togiak, commercial fished a salmon set gillnet in the Togiak District on 8/3/21 and 8/4/21 when he did not possess a CFEC commercial fishing permit issued to him. Forbes then used a CFEC permit issued to another individual to sell the salmon he caught to a commercial fish processor in Togiak. Forbes was issued citations for commercial fishing without a permit and supplying false information on fish tickets.

Troopers seize 23,422 pounds of salmon

Details in this press release.

Kenai Peninsula setnet sites vandalized

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Anchor Point

Type: Vandalism
On Saturday, Aug. 7, the Alaska State Troopers were notified of a series of vandalizations at three commercial setnet sites near Mile 126 of the Sterling Highway. Alaska State Troopers and Alaska Wildlife Troopers from Anchor Point responded to the area. Based on a preliminary investigation, three structures and two vehicles received thousands of dollars of damage due to vandalism that occurred on Thursday, Aug. 5. Troopers were able to identify two juvenile persons of interest after social media posts were posted from the site of the vandalism and passed on to troopers. The troopers contacted two juveniles, and charges related to their actions were forwarded to the Division of Juvenile Justice.

More Bristol Bay fishermen cited

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Ugashik District

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 6/29/21 Macarlo Christensen, 58, and Timothy Christensen, 21, both from Fairbanks, were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in a closed period in the Ugashik District.

Location: Nushagak Bay

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/2/21 Alaska Wildlife Troopers cited Kenneth P. Coupchiak, 35, from Manokotak, for commercial fishing in closed waters.

Location: Nushagak Bay

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/2/21 Alaska Wildlife Troopers cited Jeremy T. Darcangelo, 34, from Manokotak, for commercial fishing in closed waters.

Location: Nushagak Bay

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/18/21 Alaska Wildlife Troopers cited Marcella Kritz, 32, from Togiak, for commercial fishing during a closed period and for failing to mark her setnet with her assigned Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission number.

Location: Egegik District

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/19/21 Brittany Craig, 24, and Joseph Resetarits, 26, both from Homer, were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Egegik District.

Location: Egegik District

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/19/21 Robert Seid, 33, from San Diego, Calif., was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Egegik District.