Anchorage, Alaska – United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today, September 10, 2010, that a commercial fisherman based in Kodiak was sentenced to four years probation, and was ordered to forfeit over $117,000 in proceeds of his fishing activities, for violations of the Lacey Act.

Thomas Millman, 73, who currently lives in Minnesota, pled guilty today to four counts of Lacey Act violations and was thereafter sentenced by United States District Judge John W. Sedwick.

According to court documents, Millman violated the Lacey Act by commercially selling Pacific Cod caught in violation of Alaska state law. Millman, the owner and operator of the fishing vessel (F/V) Four Daughters, caught Pacific Cod in areas along the Aleutian Islands closed by the State of Alaska to protect the Stellar Sea Lion. Millman admitted to illegally catching over 250,000 pounds of Pacific Cod, worth over $73,000 during 2005.

“Enforcement of fisheries laws is an essential tool for protecting one of our nation’s most valuable resources,” stated Ms. Loeffler.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Law Enforcement, Alaska Enforcement Division (Kodiak Office) conducted the investigation leading to the conviction of Millman.

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