Fishing violation nets Wrangell father, son $100K fine

An Alaskan federal judge on Monday fined a Wrangell father and son $100,000 for lying about where they were fishing for halibut in the Gulf of Alaska, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska.

U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Burgess imposed the sentence for Charles “Chuck” J. Petticrew Sr., 70, and Charles “Jeff” J. Petticrew Jr., 42, in Juneau federal court.

Both defendants had entered into a plea agreement and agreed to pay the fine when they pled guilty to violating the Lacey Act in October. The Lacey Act is a federal law that prohibits the illegal take and trafficking of plants, animals and fish.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Schmidt said the Petticrews falsified fishing locations on state and federal paperwork from June 2010 through May 2013. On paperwork, the two commercial fishermen indicated they were fishing in one management area when really they were fishing in another, according to the prosecutors’ statement.

“The defendants had illegally caught halibut in Management Area 2C valued over $23,000 and falsified Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) records,” read the release issued Tuesday.

The elder Petticrew pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to falsify IFQ records and was sentenced to pay a $90,000 fine and serve five years of probation. The younger Petticrew pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count for violating the Lacey Act by falsifying IFQ records and was sentenced to pay a $10,000 fine and serve five years probation.

Both men have agreed to install and pay for a Vessel Monitoring System for their vessels when they fish in the future.

More in News

The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Ships in port for the week of May 11

This information comes from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska’s 2024 schedule.… Continue reading

Boxes of sugary cereal, including those from General Mills, fill a store’s shelves on April 16, 2025, in Miami, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
US House Republican plan would force states to pay for a portion of SNAP benefits

State costs would increase with higher error rates — Alaska currently has the highest.

Juneau Board of Education members including Will Muldoon (foreground), whose seat is currently open after he resigned April 21, meet at Thunder Mountain Middle School on Sept. 10, 2024. Five candidates for the open seat are scheduled to be interviewed on Saturday at TMMS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Five people seeking open seat on Juneau school board set for public interviews on Saturday at TMMS

Former board member Steve Whitney, recent runner-up candidate Jenny Thomas among applicants.

Jörg Knorr, a solo travel journalist from Flensburg, Germany, smiles after taking a photo on Sunday, May 11, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
German kayaker sets off to circumnavigate Admiralty Island

He made friends along the way in his mission to see Alaska.

A cruise ship docks in downtown Juneau on April 30, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
As foreign tourists stay away, US could lose $12.5 billion this year, tourism group says

Border detentions, confusion over visas deterring visitors, according to World Travel & Tourism Council.

Phase One of the HESCO barriers ends in the backyard of this residence on Rivercourt Way on Monday, May 12, 2025. The next extension, Phase One A, will install the barriers along the river adjacent to Dimond Park from the end of Rivercourt Way, interconnecting through a gap in the back fence. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Assembly approves extending HESCO barriers

After reviewing flood-fighting inundation maps, additional short-term mitigation deemed necessary.

House Majority Leader Chuck Kopp (R-Anchorage), right, presents an overview of a bill reviving pensions for public employees during a House floor session Monday, May 12, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
House passes bill reviving pensions for public employees, Senate expected to consider it next year

Supporters say it avoids pitfalls in previous system nixed in 2006 due to multibillion-dollar shortfall.

Members of the Alaska Senate watch the votes for and against Senate Bill 26 on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Juneau. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Alaska senators vote to end daylight saving time, ask feds to put state on Pacific Standard Time

Alaska would be on the same time zone as Seattle for four months of the year is bill becomes law.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Sunday, May 11, 2025

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

Most Read