Pirate Poacher Update: Tilghman Island Waterman William J. Lednum Sent to Prison in Massive Rockfish Heist

The investigation in this case started in February 2011 when the Maryland Department of Natural Resources found tens of thousands of pounds of striped bass snagged in illegal, anchored nets before the season officially reopened.

The conspirators were seen on the water in the vicinity of the illegal nets. The subsequent investigation unveiled a wider criminal enterprise to which Hayden and Lednum pleaded guilty on Aug. 1, 2014. Co-defendant Kent Conley Sadler, 31, also of Tilghman Island, previously pleaded guilty to his participation in the conspiracy and is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 21, 2014. Hayden and Lednum face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The defendants have agreed to pay restitution to the state of Maryland of between $498,293 and $929,625. The defendants have further agreed to forfeit the monetary equivalent of 80 percent of the value of the vessel primarily used during the conspiracy.

Southern Md. Police Beat: career criminals caught robbing Walmart get a little help from pliable prosecutors

ST. LEONARD, MD. After a long day of Christmas shoplifting in Prince Frederick, the weary but determined members of Maryland’s criminal class continued on their merry way to spread joy to their loved ones with stolen gifts, when what to their wondering eyes should appear but a Maryland State Trooper with a Cruiser-Sleigh powered by 350 Deer-power! He whipped out his cuffs and went straight to his work and then he cast off his hat and turned to the jerks: “You are off to the slammer where you’ll be given a cot and on top of that, you’ll get three hots!”