Archives for April 2019

Fish wholesaler gets year for illegal trout

CHARLEVOIX, Mich. (AP) — A fish wholesaler in northern Michigan has been sentenced to a year in custody after pleading guilty to acquiring trout that were illegally caught in the Great Lakes.

Federal Judge Paul Maloney says John Cross III of Charlevoix can serve his sentence in the off-season. He appeared in court Monday, months after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor.

The government says Cross and his business, Cross Fisheries, bought about 50,000 pounds of lake trout from a fisherman who was using so-called trap nets. Those fish should have been thrown back into the water.

Separately, Cross’ business pleaded guilty to a felony. The judge will hold another hearing to determine a financial penalty.

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