Federal Tribal Fishing Busts: The Arrests Begin
By Greg Peterson
Owner, News Director
Upper Peninsula Breaking News
www.UpperPeninsulaBreakingNews.com
UpperPeninsulaBreakingNews@gmail.com
906-273-2433 (hm office)
The first criminal charges have been filed in a two–year federal undercover operation into illegal fishing in the northern Great Lakes that the feds pulled the plug, an Upper Peninsula Breaking News investigation shows.
Three northern Michigan fish markets and their fishing operations were raided by special agents with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement Division (LED) plus angents raided an international fish distributing company in Northeast Wisconsin.
More arrests are likely expected – in a fishing fraud case in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula that is a joint state and federal probe into illegally sales, distribution and labeling of fish.
The investigation dating back four years – and is receiving the attention from the justice department’s top levels in Washington, D.C.
The case is the largest undercover probe in U.P. history – but so far has resulted in only four class A misdemeanor charges against one of the owners of the Peterson’s Fish Market in Hancock, MI.
The probe involves to the illegal fishing and distribution operations in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – including Lake Superior, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. One of the country’s top U.S. Justice Department fishing crimes attorneys filed the case.
Federal charges have been filed again Christopher James Peterson, 46, of Hancock, MI – who is named in a four-count Class A Misdemeanor Information. He is co-owner of Peterson’s Fish market in Hancock,. MI
The federal sting led to allegations – but not formal charges – against ten people across northern Michigan and northeast Wisconsin in the winter of 2015. It included long-term informants, wires and the closing of businesses.
The charges against Peterson involve the alleged false labeling of fish during Dec. 2012 and March 2013.
This is the kind of case that – based on history – is more than than charging of this one fish – as it date backs to events in the winter of 2012 and 2013.
Plus the top state and federal prosecutors are part of the case – not likely if only misdemeanor charges were planned.
The feds allege Peterson in 2012 and 2013 “knowingly made and submitted a false record and label for, and false identification of, fish that were intended to be transported in interstate commerce.”
Count 1: Falsely Labeled Fish (December 17, 2012)
Count 2: Falsely Labeled Fish (December 26, 2012)
Court 3: Falsely Labeled Fish (March 10, 2013)
Count 4: Falsely Labeled Fish (March 16, 2013)
The prosecution team is a list of heavy hitters:
United States Attorney Patrick A. Miles, Jr. (Left), Western District of Michigan federal prosecutor in Grand Rapids, MI
Assistant U.S. Attorney General John Cruden (right) of the USDOJ Environment and Natural Resources Division.
U.S. Justice Department Washington, D.C. illegal fishing trial attorney Joel La Bissonniere, trial attorney (prosecutor) with the U.S. Justice Department Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section
Two U.P. federal prosecutors – Asst. U. S. Attorney Maarten Vermaat and and Asst. U.S. Attorney Paul D. Lochner (federal prosecutors in Marquette, MI) – plus State of Michigan prosecutors
This is a class A misdemeanor criminal information that was filed by federal prosecutors in January 2017 at federal court in Marquette, MI.:
Federal Tribal Fishing Busts: The Reasons
The probe focuses on the illegal trafficking of nearly all edible species of fish from the Great Lakes – where Lake trout populations have been dangerously low due to over–harvest and the invasion of sea lampreys that prey upon those lake trout. The feds have spent millions trying to increase Lake Trout numbers including lamprey removal, and strict trout harvest quotas.
In the documents, federal officials said the investigation demonstrates the illegal commercialization of lake trout and other fish species from Lake Superior and nearby Great Lakes.
The “extensive undercover operation” investigated the illegal trafficking and false reporting of fish harvested from Lake Superior, northern Lake Michigan and western Lake Huron.
U.P. Breaking News has obtained all of the federal search warrants and criminal complaints filed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service LED and federal prosecutors. (Scroll down to read search warrants/all documents)
Federal Tribal Fishing Busts: The Who
The sting was run from a bogus fishing company on tribal land in Baraga County that was used to buy fish from those under investigation. The bogus Upper Peninsula North Fish Company was located on U.S.–41 in L’Anse – in a building with a history of being a fish buying business – and located on the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community reservation.
Targets include members of numerous tribes in Wisconsin and Michigan – including the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, the Red Cliff Band of Chippewa Indians and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. Non–natives were also investigated.
The investigation involves millions of pounds of illegally caught fish on the Great Lakes including Lake Huron, Lake Superior, and Lake Michigan.
The probe involved the illegal sales and packaging of sturgeon, Lake Trout and Walleye.
Federal Tribal Fishing Busts: The Raids
Peterson’s Fish Market in Hancock plus two 50–foot fishing vessels owned by the Petersons – the Three Suns and the Charleen (above).
The Beaver Island Fresh Fish Market in Beaver Island whose owner – George “Skip” Duhamel – died this past July during the probe, according to federal search warrants.
Agents raided the John Cross Fish Market in downstate Charlevoix – owned and operated by John Cross and his son, John “Jack” Cross III. Agents raided an international fish distributing company doing business under several names in the Sturgeon Bay, WI area.
Agents raided Dan Schwarz’s business – Dan’s Fish, Inc. at 152 Jib St. Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Dan Schwarz operates Great Lakes Gold (GLG), Dan’s Fish, Sturgeon Bay Cold Storage (SBCS) and has a sister company Seafood International (SI) in Estonia
All four entities function as different aspects of a seafood buying and exporting business, federal agents stated in their warrants.
Federal Tribal Fishing Busts: Top Ten Facts
Lengthy federal probe by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) into improper fish sales from Lake Superior, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan most are tribal fish markets in MI/WI under The Stacy Act. Feds bring charges in undercover tribal probe
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Probe into multi-million dollar problem of “illegal trafficking and false reporting of fish harvested from Lake Superior, northern Lake Michigan and western Lake Huron”
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“Covert business” set up by feds – with cooperation from KBIC – was named “Upper Peninsula North Fish Company (UPNFC)” on tribal lands along US-41 near L’Anse, MI
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The building had a fish buying past – and the feds re-equipped it to look legitimate while making undercover buys posing as crooked wholesalers
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The sting operation at UPNFC “primarily bought and sold fish wholesale” but also sold fish to drop-in retail customers
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For more than a year, the feds were kept busy with buying illegally sold fish from the Great Lakes fish operations out of the front fish processing facility
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Undercover agents opened the facility in August 2012 – and like all good stings – the feds had the placed wired – video, photos and sound. The operation closed in November 2013
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“The UPNFC fish processing facility was equipped with audio and video recording equipment in order to document transactions occurring there,” the federal search warrant states
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Undercover officers acting as employees of UPNFC made over 550 purchases of fish at this location. Approximately 400 purchases involved fish that were illegal in some manner
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Although the UPNFC fish processing facility was closed in November 2013, undercover officers acting as employees of UPNFC continued to make some purchases of fish for the UPNFC until approximately September 2014
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Allegations made in late 2011 in Baraga area, Undercover sting began in August 2012
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Federal Tribal Fishing Busts: Agents/Agencies:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement Division (LED)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service LED
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The undercover agents and other law enforcement involved::
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Special Agent Chris Aldrich (Chris Albright was the undercover name of Agent Aldrich)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Special Agent Matt Martin
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Federal Tribal Fishing Busts: The Tribes
Red Cliff Band of Chippewa Indians
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
The investigation also includes non–natives
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Results of sting at Upper Peninsula North Fish Company on U.S.–41 in L’Anse on Keweenaw Bay Indian Community reservation
Involves millions of pounds of illegal Great Lakes fish – including sturgeon, Lake Trout and Walleye from Lake Huron, Lake Superior, and Lake Michigan
Fed Tribal Fishing Busts: The Targets – who dealt with undercover agents from Upper Peninsula North Fish Company (UPNFC), sting operation business:
- Ten Suspects, one died, one charged
- Four Businesses
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Peterson’s Fish Market and Employees:
Christopher Peterson
Licensed by tribe as a commercial fisher
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Pictured above are Patricia Ann Peterson, and her husband Gilmore Francis Peterson
Gilmore Francis Peterson “appears” to assist in running of Peterson’s Fish Market
Licensed by tribe as a commercial fisher
Went to Bayfield High
Lives in Hancock, Michigan
From Bayfield, Wisconsin
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Patricia Ann Peterson
Gilmore Peterson’s spouse
Ran Peterson’s Fish Market “during the time period of the investigation”
“Wrote checks to pay for fish purchases, managed employees of Peterson’s Fish Market, and received” UPNFC invoices for fish the (undercover agents) “sold to Peterson’s Fish Market.”
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Tammie M. Peterson
Christopher Peterson’s spouse.
Ran the “Four Suns Fish n’ Chips” restaurant during investigation
Patricia’s Peterson’s assistant
Beaver Fish Market aka Beaver Fresh Fish Market
George Duhamel, owner died during probe
Dominique Halpin
Larry Koon
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John Cross Fisheries & John Cross Fish Market
Downstate Charlevoix, MI
John Cross (owner)
John “Jack” Cross III (son)
Dan’s Fish, Inc.
52 Jib St.
Sturgeon Bay, WI
International fish distributing company doing business under several names in the Sturgeon Bay, WI area.
Great Lakes Gold (GLG)
Dan’s Fish
Sturgeon Bay Cold Storage (SBCS)
Seafood International (SI) in Estonia (sister company)
All four entities maintain a relationship with each other, functioning as different aspects of a seafood buying and exporting business, federal agents stated in their warrants.
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Federal Tribal Fishing Busts: The Reasons for Probe
- Illegal trafficking of nearly all edible species of fish from the Great Lakes
- Lake trout populations have been dangerously low due to over–harvest and the invasion of sea lampreys that prey upon those lake trout.
- The feds have spent millions trying to increase Lake Trout numbers including lamprey removal, and strict trout harvest quotas.
- Probe demonstrates the illegal commercialization of lake trout and other fish species from Lake Superior and nearby Great Lakes.
- The “extensive undercover operation” investigated the illegal trafficking and false reporting of fish harvested from Lake Superior, northern Lake Michigan and western Lake Huron.”
Fed Tribal Fishing Busts: The Investigation
Beginning in August 2012, the USFWS led an undercover operation that investigated the illegal trafficking and false reporting of fish harvested from Lake Superior, northern Lake Michigan and western Lake Huron. This investigation was in response to: (a) reports from numerous sources that lake trout, lake sturgeon and walleye were being illegally harvested in large numbers; and (b) five undercover purchases of contraband lake trout and lake sturgeon by USFWS SA Chris Aldrich, in the Baraga, MI area in late 2011 and early 2012.As part of this operation, the USFWS established a covert business – named the Upper Peninsula North Fish Company (UPNFC) – that held itself out as a business engaged in the purchase and sale of fish.The UPNFC’s facility was located on US Highway 41 in L’Anse, MI, in a building that had a history of being, and was thus equipped to be, used as a fish buying business. The building was located within the boundaries of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) reservation.UPNFC primarily bought and sold fish wholesale. However, the storefront also included an area within the building where they sold fish on a retail basis to customers. USFWS SAs Matt Martin and Chris Aldrich operated the facility in an undercover capacity beginning in approximately August 2012. The UPNFC fish processing facility was equipped with audio and video recording equipment in order to document transactions occurring there.Undercover officers acting as employees of UPNFC made over 550 purchases of fish at this location. With respect to these purchases, approximately 400 purchases involved fish that were illegal in some manner.
Peterson’s Fish Market in Hancock
Two 50–foot fishing vessels owned by the Petersons – the Three Suns and the Charleen
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Beaver Island Fresh Fish MarketBeaver Island
Owner George “Skip” Duhamel died (July 2014) during the probe
——-Downstate Charlevoix
Owned and operated by John Cross and his son, John “Jack” Cross III
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152 Jib St.
Sturgeon Bay, WI
International fish distributing company in the Sturgeon Bay, WI area.
Great Lakes Gold (GLG)
Dan’s Fish
Sturgeon Bay Cold Storage (SBCS)
Seafood International (SI) in Estonia
Businesses each function as different aspects of a seafood buying/exporting business
After the raid, the company released this statement to papers in the Green Bay area:
“Yesterday Dan’s Fish, Inc. learned it may become part of an investigation by the Department of Natural Resources, involving scores of companies in three states, of potential violations of regulatory issues.”
The company “takes great pride in the way it has always openly and honestly conducted its business, and is in full compliance with all state and federal laws.”
“No local restaurant or wholesale buyer is part of this regulatory issue. We will continue to serve our community and the environment for many years to come.”
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Fed Tribal Fishing Busts: Federal Prosecutor
U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Miles, Jr. in Grand Rapids, MI
Chief federal prosecutor for the Western District of Michigan including the Upper Peninsula
Assistant United States Attorney Maarten VermaatAssistant United States Attorney Paul D. Lochner“On Nov. 5, 2014 , U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service agents executed search warrants at various locations in northern Michigan and Northeastern Wisconsin (that are or were holders of) holding wholesaler records of fish taken from lakes Michigan and Superior.
The searches are pursuant to an investigation into potential violations of the Lacey Act.
Representatives of the Justice Department Environment and Natural Resources Division are communicating with state, tribal and fed. law enforcement representatives and look forward to working with them as partners in maintaining and safeguarding a healthy fishery.”
“Given the ongoing nature of the investigation, no further comment will be offered at this time.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Cruden was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on December 16, 2014 as the Assistant Attorney U.S. General (AAG) for the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD).
U.S. Justice Department Trial Attorney Joel La Bissonniere, trial attorney (prosecutor) with the U.S. Justice Department Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section
Here are other cases by U.S. Justice Department illegal fishing trial attorney Joel La Bissonniere, trial attorney (prosecutor) with the U.S. Justice Department Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/shipping-company-fined-750000-environmental-crimes
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/chief-mate-sentenced-three-months-prison-environmental-crimes
https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/shipping-company-fined-750000-environmental-crimes
Fed Tribal Fishing Busts: The Laws
The Lacey Act:
https://www.fws.gov/International/laws-treaties-agreements/us-conservation-laws/lacey-act.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lacey_Act_of_1900
http://www.fishwildlife.org/files/LaceyAct_FactSheet.pdf
Federal conservation law that prohibits interstate trade in wildlife – such as fish – that have been taken, possessed, and transported or sold in violation of a federal, state or tribal law,” the statement said.
Lacey Act “prohibits making false statements or records regarding fish and wildlife that are to be shipped in interstate commerce.”
These businesses hold wholesaler records of fish taken from Lakes Michigan and Superior and the investigation involves potential violations of the Lacey Act.
“The Lacey Act is a federal conservation law that prohibits interstate trade in wildlife such as fish that have been taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of a federal, state or tribal law,” the statement continues.
“The Lacey Act prohibits making false statements or records regarding fish and wildlife that are to be shipped in interstate commerce.”
Fed Tribal Fishing Busts: The Links
Our other stories:
https://upbreakingnews.com/category/fish/
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/feds-probe-illegal-trafficking-of-great-lakes-fish
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Peterson’s Fish Market:
https://www.facebook.com/Petersonfishmarket/
http://www.exploringthenorth.com/petersons/fish.html
Today, Gilmore and his wife Pat run the business while their three sons, Chris, Joel and Matt, ply the waters and the rest of their family members work at the Peterson’s Fish Market in Hancock, Michigan and the adjacent Four Suns cafe.
Pat & Chris Peterson, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Avid fishermen for subsistence prior to European settlement, the Lake Superior Chippewa quickly found Gichigami’s (Ojibwe word for Lake Superior) fish to be a valued trade item once explorers penetrated to this inland sea. Tribal fishermen traded fish harvested from birch bark canoes, using gill nets made form twisted and knotted strips of willow bark.
http://theways.org/story/lake-superior-whitefish
http://www.glifwc.org/Mazinaigan/Winter2012/files/inc/41582701.pdf
http://www.finlandia.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/2009-Summer-Fall-Bridge.pdf
Christopher James Peterson, 46, the latest generation of a fishing family becoming true elders
Peterson’s Fish Market
Quincy Hill
49813N U.S. Hwy. 41
Hancock, Michigan
@Petersonfishmarket
(906) 482-2343
http://www.facebook.com/Petersonfishmarket/
petersonfishmarket@yahoo.com
United States District Court Western District Of Michigan Northern Division
United States Of America, Plaintiff
vs.
Christopher James Peterson, Defendant
Class A Misdemeanor Information
The United States Attorney charges violations of federal laws:
16 U.S.C. § 3372(d)(2)
16 U.S.C. § 3373(d)(3)(B)
COUNT 1 (Falsely Labeled Fish)
On or about December 17, 2012, in the Western District of Michigan, Northern Division, the defendant, Christopher James Peterson, “knowingly made and submitted a false record and label for, and false identification of, fish that were intended to be transported in interstate commerce.”
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COUNT 2 (Falsely Labeled Fish)
On or about December 26, 2012, in the Western District of Michigan, Northern Division, the defendant, Christopher James Peterson, knowingly made and submitted a false record and label for, and false identification of, fish that were intended to be transported in interstate commerce.
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COUNT 3 (Falsely Labeled Fish)
On or about March 10, 2013, in the Western District of Michigan, Northern Division, the defendant, Christopher James Peterson, knowingly made and submitted a false record and label for, and false identification of, fish that were intended to be transported in interstate commerce.
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COUNT 4 (Falsely Labeled Fish)
On or about March 16, 2013, in the Western District of Michigan, Northern Division, the defendant, Christopher James Peterson, knowingly made and submitted a false record and label for, and false identification of, fish that were intended to be transported in interstate commerce.
NASA image acquired August 28, 2010 Late August 2010 provided a rare satellite view of a cloudless summer day over the entire Great Lakes region. Caption by Mike Carlowicz. Instrument: Aqua – MODIS Click here to see more images from NASA Goddard’s Earth Observatory NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is home to the nation’s largest organization of combined scientists, engineers and technologists that build spacecraft, instruments and new technology to study the Earth, the sun, our solar system, and the universe. Follow us on Twitter Join us on Facebook
Upper Peninsula Breaking News by Greg Peterson 