Mississippi Resident Charged with Making False Statement to United States Coast Guard and for Unlawful Use of Merchant Mariner Credentials

According to court documents, on February 4, 2015, DESALVO entered into a settlement with the U.S. Coast Guard wherein he agreed to surrender his merchant mariner credentials in lieu of having them permanently revoked.  In connection with the settlement agreement, DESALVO submitted an affidavit to the U.S. Coast Guard in which he stated that his credentials had been destroyed, when, in truth and fact, his credentials had not been destroyed.  In addition to the foregoing, DESALVO illegally used his suspended credentials to obtain work as a boat captain for four different companies that operated on the Mississippi River.  If convicted, DESALVO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than five (5) years, a supervised release term of three years, and a fine of $250,000.00 for each count.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Coast Guard in investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is in charge of the prosecution.