Trooper report

March 7

Wildlife Troopers from Klawock, Petersburg and Wrangell concluded an investigation which began in December 2017. Investigation determined Jonathan McGraw Jr., 43, from Naukati; Keith Wagner, 52, from Naukati; and Curtis Looper, 27, from Naukati, were commercially harvesting sea cucumbers from closed waters including from the sea cucumber preserve in Whale Pass. McGraw’s boat the F/V Bottom Time, a 19-foot aluminum work skiff, his dive gear, and 1,263 pounds of sea cucumbers were seized on December 19. McGraw was charged with seven counts of Commercial Fishing Closed Waters, seven counts of Illegal Possession, six counts Falsifying Fish Tickets, one count of Violating Conditions of Release, one count of Fail to Display Vessel Identification, and one count of Employing an Unlicensed Crewmember. Wagner and Looper were charged with one count each of Commercial Fishing Closed Waters and Illegal Possession. Looper was additionally charged with one count of No Crewmember License. In all, McGraw is suspected of unlawfully harvesting sea cucumbers on seven occasions totaling 7,506 pounds of sea cucumbers, valued at a total of $35,288.

March 14

Alaska Wildlife Troopers from the Wrangell and Petersburg posts located personal use shrimp gear belonging to Heather Miethe, 47, from Wrangell. Investigation determined Miethe was operating more than the allowed 10 shrimp pots. Miethe was issued a summons in the Wrangell District Court for Over Limit Personal Use Shrimp Gear.

March 17

Alaska Wildlife Troopers’ Wrangell Post issued Mike Kilpatrick, 65, a citation for Improper Buoy Markings on Personal Use Shrimp Gear.