Latest Legal News from the Criminal Courts of Los Angeles, California and the U.S.

January 15, 2008

SANTA CRUZ RESIDENT CHARGED WITH BEATING HARBOR SEALS

Defendant charged with violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act

SAN JOSE – United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced that William Lester Johnsen, age 37, of Santa Cruz, California has been charged with unlawfully taking a marine mammal, in violation of Title 16, United States Code, Sections 1372(a)(2)(A) and 1375(b). Under 16 U.S.C. § 1362(13), the term “take” includes harassing any marine mammal.

The information alleges that on May 23, 2007, Mr. Johnsen knowingly took a marine mammal by harassing, striking or beating harbor seals with a skim board at San Lorenzo Beach near the boardwalk in Santa Cruz, California.

Mr. Johnsen made his initial appearance in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Patricia V. Trumbull and will next appear before United States Magistrate Judge Howard R. Lloyd on February 21, 2008. Mr. Johnsen remains out of custody on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond and has been ordered to stay away from San Lorenzo Beach while the charges are pending.

The penalty for this offense includes up to one year of imprisonment, a $20,000 fine, and a one-year term of supervised release. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Susan Knight is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Susan Kreider. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Fisheries Service’s Office of Law Enforcement Special Agent Roy Torres and Enforcement Officer Robert Yerena.

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CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER

JOSEPH SHEMARIA

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Latest Legal News from the Criminal Courts of Los Angeles, California and the U.S.