betelgeuse
02-24-2010, 04:26 PM
What a tool
GOLD BEACH, Ore. -- The only person allowed to harvest wild flat abalone in Oregon has been sentenced to jail for unlawfully taking it.
Kevin Hiersche, who lives in the southern Oregon town of Gold Beach, admitted to state investigators he reported false harvest amounts. A review of log books seized by police showed he had exceeded the allowable harvest poundage in seven of the eight years he had a permit, according to investigators.
Wild flat abalone are edible sea snails that are protected by law. Diving for red abalone is allowed in California, but taking wild flat abalone on the west coast is illegal.
State police said Hiersche had a permit and dove from his boat, named the "Jerry Lee," while a fishing partner helped as an attendant.
Oregon State Police Sgt. David Anderson said Hiersche "was entrusted with tremendous privilege, but greed and temptation led him to violate that trust in the worst possible way."
The Oregon State Police investigation into Hiersche dates back to last year. Investigators served a search warrant at his home and found 30 pounds of frozen, vacuum-sealed flat abalone that had been illegally harvested.
In August, Hiersche was indicted by a grand jury. He pleaded guilty this month to charges of unlawful taking of flat abalone, not having a wholesalers license and falsifying business records.
His sentence includes 40 days in jail, 36 months of probation, 120 hours in community service, $21,000 in fines and $18,538 in restitution.
Daniel Wright, a 40-year-old man who helped Hiersche with the harvest, was sentenced to 10 days in jail, 18 months of probation, $2,500 in fines and restitution.
GOLD BEACH, Ore. -- The only person allowed to harvest wild flat abalone in Oregon has been sentenced to jail for unlawfully taking it.
Kevin Hiersche, who lives in the southern Oregon town of Gold Beach, admitted to state investigators he reported false harvest amounts. A review of log books seized by police showed he had exceeded the allowable harvest poundage in seven of the eight years he had a permit, according to investigators.
Wild flat abalone are edible sea snails that are protected by law. Diving for red abalone is allowed in California, but taking wild flat abalone on the west coast is illegal.
State police said Hiersche had a permit and dove from his boat, named the "Jerry Lee," while a fishing partner helped as an attendant.
Oregon State Police Sgt. David Anderson said Hiersche "was entrusted with tremendous privilege, but greed and temptation led him to violate that trust in the worst possible way."
The Oregon State Police investigation into Hiersche dates back to last year. Investigators served a search warrant at his home and found 30 pounds of frozen, vacuum-sealed flat abalone that had been illegally harvested.
In August, Hiersche was indicted by a grand jury. He pleaded guilty this month to charges of unlawful taking of flat abalone, not having a wholesalers license and falsifying business records.
His sentence includes 40 days in jail, 36 months of probation, 120 hours in community service, $21,000 in fines and $18,538 in restitution.
Daniel Wright, a 40-year-old man who helped Hiersche with the harvest, was sentenced to 10 days in jail, 18 months of probation, $2,500 in fines and restitution.