Pirate Poachers of the Chesapeake: Virginia cracks down on oyster thieving commercial watermen
NEWPORT NEWS, VA. (Nov. 27, 2015) – The Virginia Marine Police have filed criminal charges against 12 commercial watermen for serious oyster violations in the Rappahannock River, including plundering an oyster sanctuary.
The charges were filed by the Marine Police on November 22, 2015, and November 23, 2015, after consultation with the Commonwealth Attorney. Of the 48 violations, 24 are Class 6 Felony’s,15 are Class 1 Misdemeanors and 9 are Class 6 Misdemeanors. All violations occurred on October 22, 2015.
Virginia Marine Resources Commissioner John M.R. Bull said, “The Commission has no tolerance for oyster thieves, especially those who steal from a protected sanctuary. This matter will be resolved in court and if convicted, these individuals will stand in front of the Commission to determine whether their licenses should be revoked and for how long. In the past two years, the Commission has revoked 39 licenses for natural resources violations, which is the most in decades.”
The charges brought against the oyster harvesters are:
Oyster Violations Rappahannock River Area 5 – OCTOBER 22, 2015
Anthony Dale Hogge MRC # 008579 – Resides Gloucester County
28.2-516 – Oyster dredging or oyster dredging equipment on boat – Class 6 Felony
28.2-523 – Unlawfully using a scrape in an unauthorized area – Class 6 Felony
28.2-527 – Theft of oysters, clams, shells, etc. – Class 1 Misdemeanor
4 VAC 20-650-30 – Closure of Sanctuary Area – Class 1 Misdemeanor
Jeffrey Scott West MRC # 008996 – Resides in Gloucester County
28.2-516 – Oyster dredging or oyster dredging equipment on boat – Class 6 Felony
28.2-523 – Unlawfully using a scrape in an unauthorized area – Class 6 Felony
28.2-527 – Theft of oysters, clams, shells, etc. – Class 1 Misdemeanor
4 VAC 20-650-30 – Closure of Sanctuary Area – Class 1 Misdemeanor
James Luisan West MRC # 008864 – Resides Gloucester County
28.2-516 – Oyster dredging or oyster dredging equipment on boat – Class 6 Felony
28.2-523 – Unlawfully using a scrape in an unauthorized area – Class 6 Felony
28.2-527 – Theft of oysters, clams, shells, etc. – Class 1 Misdemeanor
4 VAC 20-650-30 – Closure of Sanctuary Area – Class 3 Misdemeanor
John Matthew West MRC # 008031 – Resides Gloucester County
28.2-516 – Oyster dredging or oyster dredging equipment on boat – Class 6 Felony
28.2-523 – Unlawfully using a scrape in an unauthorized area – Class 6 Felony
28.2-527 – Theft of oysters, clams, shells, etc. – Class 1 Misdemeanor
4 VAC 20-650-30 – Closure of Sanctuary Area – Class 3 Misdemeanor
John Kenneth West MRC # 3048 – Resides Gloucester County
28.2-516 – Oyster dredging or oyster dredging equipment on boat – Class 6 Felony
28.2-523 – Unlawfully using a scrape in an unauthorized area – Class 6 Felony
28.2-527 – Theft of oysters, clams, shells, etc. – Class 1 Misdemeanor
4 VAC 20-650-30 – Closure of Sanctuary Area – Class 3 Misdemeanor
Willie Jessie West Jr. MRC # 008034 – Resides Poquoson
28.2-516 – Oyster dredging or oyster dredging equipment on boat – Class 6 Felony
28.2-523 – Unlawfully using a scrape in an unauthorized area – Class 6 Felony
28.2-527 – Theft of oysters, clams, shells, etc. – Class 1 Misdemeanor
4 VAC 20-650-30 – Closure of Sanctuary Area – Class 3 Misdemeanor
Stephen Perriello MRC # 009332 – Resides Hampton
28.2-516 – Oyster dredging or oyster dredging equipment on boat – Class 6 Felony
28.2-523 – Unlawfully using a scrape in an unauthorized area – Class 6 Felony
28.2-527 – Theft of oysters, clams, shells, etc. – Class 1 Misdemeanor
4 VAC 20-650-30 – Closure of Sanctuary Area – Class 1 Misdemeanor
Michael Jackson MRC # 008281 – Resides Hampton
28.2-516 – Oyster dredging or oyster dredging equipment on boat – Class 6 Felony
28.2-523 – Unlawfully using a scrape in an unauthorized area – Class 6 Felony
28.2-527 – Theft of oysters, clams, shells, etc. – Class 1 Misdemeanor
4 VAC 20-650-30 – Closure of Sanctuary Area – Class 3 Misdemeanor
Evan Alan Fuller – MRC # Not Registered – Resides Hampton
28.2-516 – Oyster dredging or oyster dredging equipment on boat – Class 6 Felony
28.2-523 – Unlawfully using a scrape in an unauthorized area – Class 6 Felony
28.2-527 – Theft of oysters, clams, shells, etc. – Class 1 Misdemeanor
4 VAC 20-650-30 – Closure of Sanctuary Area – Class 3 Misdemeanor
Brooks Pruitt MRC # 0010 – Resides Onancock Eastern Shore
28.2-516 – Oyster dredging or oyster dredging equipment on boat – Class 6 Felony
28.2-523 – Unlawfully using a scrape in an unauthorized area – Class 6 Felony
28.2-527 – Theft of oysters, clams, shells, etc. – Class 1 Misdemeanor
4 VAC 20-650-30 – Closure of Sanctuary Area – Class 3 Misdemeanor
Thomas Pruitt MRC # 3366 – Resides Bloxom Eastern Shore
28.2-516 – Oyster dredging or oyster dredging equipment on boat – Class 6 Felony
28.2-523 – Unlawfully using a scrape in an unauthorized area – Class 6 Felony
28.2-527 – Theft of oysters, clams, shells, etc. – Class 1 Misdemeanor
4 VAC 20-650-30 – Closure of Sanctuary Area – Class 3 Misdemeanor
Melvin Miller III MRC # 008779 – Resides Saxis Eastern Shore
28.2-516 – Oyster dredging or oyster dredging equipment on boat – Class 6 Felony
28.2-523 – Unlawfully using a scrape in an unauthorized area – Class 6 Felony
28.2-527 – Theft of oysters, clams, shells, etc. – Class 1 Misdemeanor
4 VAC 20-650-30 – Closure of Sanctuary Area – Class 3 Misdemeanor