Five from Big Bend nabbed in federal fish sting

[grim reeler]

Five men from the Big Bend and two from South Georgia have been indicted in federal court for purchasing fish that could not be legally caught or sold in Florida.

The 57-count federal indictment, returned last week in U.S. District Court in Albany, Ga., details how the men allegedly mislabeled fish, falsified documents and moved marine fish illegally across state lines, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Guy and James Stovall, owners of Road Runner Seafood Inc. in Colquitt, Ga., allegedly worked with fishermen and two seafood dealers in Florida — Brown's Seafood in Medart and Robbie's Seafood in Perry — to illegally purchase fish.

The fish were red drum (redfish), spotted sea trout, red snapper, red grouper and gag grouper caught and sold during closed seasons. Vietnamese catfish also were sold as grouper, according to the commission. Representatives of the seafood businesses could not be reached for comment.

Investigators said the value of the fish exceeded $200,000. The two-year investigation was conducted by the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The seven defendants either have been arrested or have been issued summons requiring them to appear in court in Albany on Aug. 13.



http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... EAKINGNEWS" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Trusteria]

YIKES!

[BayGator]

[cmccord]

That is awful. And we wonder what happens to the fisheries and why the regs are so stringent. Ugh.

[procraftwes]

I hope they throw the book at them. hope they enjoy being bubba's woman for awhile.

[birddog]

Hang'em.

[Barhopr]

and the rec. bag limits will continue to pay the price

[What a mess]

It is a shame I'm am sure that there are many honest people out there. When I stay at my buddies in Suwanee there are air boats going in and out all night wonder what they are up to? I would be willing to bet that there are a lot more folks doing the same type of activity there seems to be an attitude of we have always done why do you think we should stop?

[WaltDawg]

String 'em up!

[Reel Cowboy]

Dayum, somebody gonna go to jail.

[Jumptrout51]

Casey? You been night fishing?

[springcreekcanoes]

I know these boys. They have some good food and great oysters. I hate to see them in trouble but if they knowingly did wrong then time to pay up. They supply seafood to most of southwest Ga.

[Littoral]

...there seems to be an attitude of we have always done why do you think we should stop?

Long (Very Long!!) line of people in the USA with that attitude about near everything.
It's the easy way.

[grim reeler]

Investigators said the value of the fish exceeded $200,000.

Even at $20/lb, thats 5 tons of fish, minimum.

Federal charges, crossing state lines, 2 year investigation, lots of money spent to bring 57 charges.......these guys are going away for a long while.

[RHTFISH]

Feds mean business! I see some real time in their future.