Office of Law Enforcement - Press Releases
Below are the latest press releases related to NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement investigations that led to court proceedings.
Alaska
September 2017 - NOAA Humanely Hazes Aggressive California Sea Lion at Auke Bay
January 2016 - Wrangell Father and Son Sentenced For Charges Relating To Violations of the Lacey Act
Northeast
September 2018 - Long Island Companies and Owners Charged With Falsely Labeling Squid as Octopus
September 2018 - Seafood Processor Pleads Guilty to Selling Foreign Crab Meat Falsely Labeled as Blue Crab From USA
June 2018 - Connecticut Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking in Endangered Sperm Whale Teeth
January 2018 - Owner of Seafood Company Charged in Atlantic Blue Crab Scam
December 2017 - Maine Harvester Enters Guilty Plea, Maine Dealers Sentenced for Illegally Trafficking American Eels
November 2017 - Maine Fisherman Sentenced for Illegally Trafficking American Eels
September 2017 - The "Codfather" Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison
September 2017 - Former Canadian Mountie Sentenced to Money Laundering Charges Stemming from a Conspiracy to Smuggle Ivory Tusks
August 2017 - Owner Of Arecibo Aquarium Business Pleads Guilty To Two Federal Lacey Act Felonies For Illicit Trafficking Of Protected Corals
July 2017 - Sheriff’s Deputy Convicted in Scheme to Smuggle Illegal Fishing Profits Abroad
July 2017 - Warren Man Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced for Shooting a Protected Seal
June 2017 - Portland Company Sentenced for Lacey Act Violations
October 2016 - Seven Men Plead Guilty for Illegally Harvesting and Selling American Eels
September 2016 - Portland Company Pleads Guilty to Lacey Act Violations
June 2016 - Long Island Fisherman Pleads Guilty to Falsifying Documents and Lying to Federal Investigators
April 2016 - OLE Helps Return Porpoise to Ocean
March 2016 - Canadian Man Detained on Money Laundering Charges Stemming from Conspiracy to Smuggle Narwhal Tusks
Pacific Islands
September 2018 - Hawaii Couple Sentenced in Wildlife Smuggling Operation
July 2016 - Five Individuals, Hawaiian Accessories Inc. Sentenced in Illegal Wildlife Smuggling Operation
June 2016 - Hawaii company punished for illegal smuggling operation
March 2016 - Honolulu-based cutter returns home from successful fisheries patrol
Southeast
December 2017 - Two Texas Fishermen Sentenced for False Statements to Law Enforcement Agents
August 2017 - Commercial Fisherman Pleads Guilty to Illegally Harvesting and Selling Atlantic Striped Bass and to Federal Tax Violations
August 2017 - Cowart Seafood, Inc. President Sentenced to 25 Months in Prison for Illegal Seafood Conspiracy and Firearms Violation
May 2017 - Cowart Seafood, Inc. President Pleads Guilty to Illegal Seafood Conspiracy and Firearms Violation
February 2017 - Another North Carolina Commercial Fishermen Pleads Guilty To Illegally Harvesting and Selling Atlantic Striped Bass
January 2017 - Two More North Carolina Commercial Fishermen Plead Guilty To Illegally Harvesting And Selling Atlantic Striped Bass
January 2017 - Cowart Seafood, Inc. Officers Charged with Illegal Seafood Conspiracy and Firearms Violation
December 2016 - Another Commercial Fisherman Pleads Guilty to Illegally Harvesting and Selling Atlantic Striped Bass
December 2016 - Aquarium operator re-sentenced to eight additional months of incarceration, after violating conditions of his release
November 2016 - North Carolina Commercial Fisherman Pleads Guilty to Illegally Harvesting and Selling Atlantic Striped Bass
November 2016 - Palmetto Bay Resident Pleads Guilty and Is Sentenced for Illegal Spearfishing Activity
July 2016 - Florida Keys Residents Plead Guilty to Illegally Trafficking in Marine Life
April 2016 - Defendants Guilty of BP Fund Fraud Claims
West Coast
October 2018 - Illegal Sea Cucumber Trade Nets More than $1.2 Million Dollars in Fines, Forfeiture and Restitution
August 2018 - Prominent Southwest Washington Fishing Guide Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Disability Fraud Scheme
April 2018 - Owner of Fife, Washington Seafood Processing Company Pleads Guilty to Sea Cucumber Lacey Act Violation
August 2017 - Chula Vista Resident Guilty of Illegal Importation of $3 Million of Abalone
June 2017 - Portland Company Sentenced for Lacey Act Violations
May 2017 - Three Charged with Illegal Trafficking of $17 Million Worth of Sea Cucumbers
April 2017 - Professional Fishing Guide Fined $7,500 for Killing Wild Coho and Attempting to Pass Them Off as Hatchery Fish