ESCANABA - Two of three men - arrested earlier this month in connection with an illegal gill-netting operation on Big Bay de Noc - were arraigned in Delta County District Court on Wednesday.
Kerry Todd Johnson, 27, Cooks, and Daryl John Tatrow, 48, Garden, were each officially charged with using illegal fishing devices. They were arrested on Nov. 2 by officers from the Department of Natural Resources who seized 1,100 pounds of fish and 1,200 feet of gill net.
Johnson pleaded no contest to the illegal fishing device charge and will be sentenced in district court on Dec. 21. The misdemeanor carries a maximum punishment of 90 days in jail, $1,000 fine, and revocation of one's fishing license. A personal recognizance bond was set at $500.
Tatrow is scheduled to make a plea in district court on Nov. 25. In addition to the illegal fishing device charge, he was also arrested on one count of attempted assaulting/resisting/obstructing a law enforcement officer. He had fled on foot from DNR officers during his arrest. The charge carries a maximum sentencing of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Tatrow posted a $500 bond.
In addition to jail time and fines, the men could face costly restitution for the fish illegally taken. Fish seized consisted mainly of whitefish estimated to have a wholesale value of $860. Smaller quantities of burbot and walleye were also confiscated.
A 14-foot boat, motor, trailer, and other equipment were seized along with the gill net, DNR officials added.
The third man arrested in connection with the alleged illegal gill-netting operation will be charged in the Sault Ste. Marie Band of Chippewa Indians Tribal Court for subsistence fishing without a license, according to DNR officials.
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Jenny Lancour, (906) 786-2021, ext. 143, jlancour@dailypress.net