Maine Warden Service: Dover-Foxcroft Man Sentenced for Illegal Taking of Endangered Atlantic Salmon

AUGUSTA, Maine – A man from Dover-Foxcroft was sentenced to six (6) months in federal prison plus two years supervised release today in United States District Court in Bangor. In January, the offender pleaded guilty to a felony violation of the Lacey Act for the take and sale of numerous endangered Atlantic Salmon from the Piscataquis River in Dover-Foxcroft during the summer of 2009.

Honorable Judge John Woodcock commented that the defendant was not a sportsman and the method he used to snag the fish was “appalling.” He described the endangered Atlantic Salmon as a magnificent fish whose recovery efforts represent hope for our society.

According to Maine Warden Service Captain Dan Scott, the Maine man was the subject of a 2009 joint investigation between the Maine Warden Service and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, after a tip was received through Operation Game Thief. Wardens and special agents conducted surveillance on the defendant for multiple nights and days during which time numerous violations were documented, including the illegal take, possession and sale of Brook Trout and Atlantic Salmon. Subsequently, a search warrant was executed on the man's residence.

In December 2009, the accused pleaded guilty to several state charges, including possession of live fish, exceeding his bag limit on fish and selling fish.

Captain Dan Scott attributed the successful investigation to good communication and information sharing between the Maine Warden Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife agents, the Atlantic Salmon Commission and the United States Attorney’s Office in Bangor. He commented that Judge Woodcock’s sentence demonstrated the seriousness of these violations and the fact the people of the state of Maine and the United States will not tolerate the blatant abuse of our endangered fishery resources.