HammerII
09-22-2007, 02:56 AM
Brothers charged with poaching
The siblings are accused of stealing oysters in a clandestine fishing expedition.
BY DAVID MACAULAY 247-7838 September 21, 2007
NEWPORT NEWS - Two brothers have been charged with poaching oysters during the closed season without a license on the James River near Newport News,
Timothy Belvin, 47, of Gloucester and Billy Belvin, 62, of Hayes, were caught dredging oysters off Mulberry Point, near Fort Eustis last Friday, according to Virginia Marine Resources Commission spokesman John Bull.
The men were arrested and charged with several misdemeanor violations and five felonies, including grand larceny, unlawful oystering during a closed season, oystering without a license, dredging for oysters on public water bottom and intent to sell stolen oysters.
Virginia Marine Police were operating on a tip that early morning thieves had been stealing oysters on the James River.
Bull said officers staked out a portion of the James River at 3:30 a.m last Friday and watched as a boat approached the public oyster grounds at 5:30 a.m., an hour before dawn.
The vessel, a Chesapeake Deadrise called "Little Fat Boy," didn't have any running lights on and was operating in total darkness, which is a boating violation, Bull said.
The boat was in an oyster management area when marine officers pulled alongside 30 minutes later and noticed a man dropping an oyster dredge over the side of his boat.
About 30 bushels of oysters were found aboard the boat.
Operating an oyster dredge on public grounds is a felony, as is harvesting oysters before dawn. The oyster season doesn't begin until next month, and oystering out of season is a felony.
"Oyster poaching will not be tolerated," Bull said. "These are an environmentally and important resource for all Virginians."
The siblings are accused of stealing oysters in a clandestine fishing expedition.
BY DAVID MACAULAY 247-7838 September 21, 2007
NEWPORT NEWS - Two brothers have been charged with poaching oysters during the closed season without a license on the James River near Newport News,
Timothy Belvin, 47, of Gloucester and Billy Belvin, 62, of Hayes, were caught dredging oysters off Mulberry Point, near Fort Eustis last Friday, according to Virginia Marine Resources Commission spokesman John Bull.
The men were arrested and charged with several misdemeanor violations and five felonies, including grand larceny, unlawful oystering during a closed season, oystering without a license, dredging for oysters on public water bottom and intent to sell stolen oysters.
Virginia Marine Police were operating on a tip that early morning thieves had been stealing oysters on the James River.
Bull said officers staked out a portion of the James River at 3:30 a.m last Friday and watched as a boat approached the public oyster grounds at 5:30 a.m., an hour before dawn.
The vessel, a Chesapeake Deadrise called "Little Fat Boy," didn't have any running lights on and was operating in total darkness, which is a boating violation, Bull said.
The boat was in an oyster management area when marine officers pulled alongside 30 minutes later and noticed a man dropping an oyster dredge over the side of his boat.
About 30 bushels of oysters were found aboard the boat.
Operating an oyster dredge on public grounds is a felony, as is harvesting oysters before dawn. The oyster season doesn't begin until next month, and oystering out of season is a felony.
"Oyster poaching will not be tolerated," Bull said. "These are an environmentally and important resource for all Virginians."