Department of Commerce
NOAA Fisheries
-Alaska Regional Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2000

Kenai Fish Processor Indicted By Federal Grand Jury

Anchorage, Alaska -- KENAI CUSTOM SEAFOODS, its owner JAMES HILL SR., and his son, JAMES HILL JR., were indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of conspiracy and four counts of purchasing illegally harvested halibut in violation of the federal Lacey Act.

The indictment alleges that Kenai Custom Seafoods, Hill Sr. and Hill Jr. worked together to purchase and process halibut that they knew had been caught and retained by a co-conspirator in violation of federal fishing regulations. In total, the indictment alleges that between March 17, 1997 and July 14, 1997, Kenai Custom Seafoods paid $42,000.00 for shipments of illegally harvested halibut. It is further alleged that it was part of the conspiracy that Hill Sr. attempted to conceal these payments by pretending that such payments were being made for legitimate purchases.

The National Marine Fisheries Service and the Alaska State Troopers Wildlife Investigations Bureau conducted the investigation that led to the indictment. Kenai Custom Seafoods, Hill Sr. and Hill Jr. face a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment and $20,000.00 fine for each Lacey Act offense.

NOAA Fisheries is dedicated to protecting and preserving our nation's living marine resources, and the habitat on which they depend, including the sustainable use of fishery resources through scientific research, management and enforcement.

NOAA is also dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation's climate and marine resources.