Fisherman in mutilated crab case found not guilty

A Juneau District Court judge found a local fisherman not guilty of mutilating Tanner crab.

Judge Thomas Nave found commercial fisherman Charles Blattner, 47, not guilty of the fishing violation that an Alaska Wildlife Trooper cited Blattner for on Feb. 6. According to a trooper dispatch report, Trooper Scott Bjork found Blattner on board a vessel in Gastineau Channel with 11 Tanner crab disfigured in a way that allegedly prevented the trooper from determining their true size.

Blattner appeared in court March 4 to pay the citation, according to court notes. After discussing the matter and making it clear he disagreed with the trooper’s findings, Blattner decided to take his case to trial.

In a one-day trial Monday, Justice Thomas Nave heard testimony from Blattner, Trooper Bjork and witnesses on Blattner’s behalf who said Blattner did not violate any fishing regulations.

The not guilty verdict means Blattner will not have to pay the $100 citation fee or a $100 fee per alleged mutilated Tanner crab.

More in News

President Joe Biden speaks during a reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, celebrating Greek Independence Day. (AP Photo / Susan Walsh)
Biden won’t veto Republican-led bill ending COVID emergency

Republicans celebrated the turn of events Wednesday.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Thursday, March 30, 2023

This report contains information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Robert DeMaine, principal cellist of the L.A. Philharmonic, is scheduled to perform Dvorak’s Cello Concerto during a pair of concerts this weekend by the Juneau Symphony. (Courtesy Photo/ Daniel Lippitt)
Say cello to the guest artist: Symphony performance features L.A. Philharmonic’s principal cellist

Concert will include Dvořák’s Cello Concerto among other selections.

Moby the Mobile Greenhouse is a traveling greenhouse project of the Sustainable Southeast Partnership. Since 2016, Moby has helped jumpstart communities of growers in communities from Kake and Hoonah, to Pelican–where Moby is currently being utilized. (Courtesy Photo / Lione Clare)
Resilient Peoples & Place: Traditional food fair and farmers summit represent breadth of Southeast Alaska’s food system

Southeast is energized for a new season of cultivating and harvesting a bounty of fresh local food.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
State Trooper convicted of attempted sexual abuse of a minor

KENAI — Vance Peronto, formerly an Alaska State Trooper based in Soldotna,… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Wednesday, March 29, 2023

This report contains information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

An otter sleeps on the ice near an open channel (Courtesy Photo / Jos Bakker)
On the Trails: Spring comes slowly

As I await more and bigger signs of spring, there have been good things to see along the trails.

State Sen. Bert Stedman, center, co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee, presides over a committee hearing Thursday. The committee on Monday approved an $8.4 million fast-track supplemental budget to address staff shortages in processing food stamps, public defenders and legal advocates for vulnerable residents. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Bill with funds to address food stamps backlog goes to governor

Legislature gives near-unanimous approval to hiring extra staff to fix months-long backlog

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire
From left to right, Carlee Simon, Frank Hauser and Thom Peck pose for a photo on Tuesday at Thunder Mountain High School after the Juneau School Board hosted a public forum in which Simon, Hauser and Peck were given an opportunity to answer questions as the three finalists being considered for the Juneau School District superintendent position.
Superintendent finalists field questions

Forum held ahead of Wednesday’s special school board meeting.

Most Read