Included below are two concluded court cases from the "online" officer's notebook. If you would like to read all the wildlife and fisheries investigations and the final outcome of the court cases be sure to pick up your Alberta Game Warden magazine at your favorite bookstore. Or better yet, purchase a yearly subscription so you won't miss an issue. |
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High count for walleye: High Prairie District On July 18, 2005, Raymond Kagahastian, 61, and Edward Pascual Soliman, 46, both of Edmonton, appeared in High Prairie provincial court and entered guilty pleas to exceeding the possession limit for fish. Soliman received a $1,200 fine and Kagahastian was assessed a fine of $1,100 for his over-possession. On May 22, 2005, High Prairie Fish and Wildlife officers received a complaint regarding an over-possession of walleye at the Faust Federal Marina. They learned that two groups were fishing together, were driving a white Corsica car and a white van and were staying at a campground located in Faust. On May 23, 2005, Fish and Wildlife officers were conducting a check-stop on Highway 2 when they stopped the white Corsica. The officer that conducted the compliance check turned up seven walleye in a cooler. There were two occupants in the vehicle, one of whom was later identified as Kagahastian.
Subsequent
investigation
led
a
second
officer
to
attend
the
Faust
Federal
dock
where
he
located
the
white
van.
The
officer
learned
that
Soliman
was
fishing
with
his
family.
Following
a
conversation
with
a
member
of
Soliman’s
fishing
party,
he
also
learned
that
there
were
three
walleye
in
the
van.
An
inspection
revealed
a
cooler
containing
another
five
walleye.
Although
certain
individuals
had
not
been
fishing,
Soliman
was
under
the
impression
that
they
could
possess
the
number
of
walleye
they
had.
Final Notes on outfitter-guide file: Vermilion District The matter of outfitter Lloyd McMahon and his company, Great White Holdings, has been concluded. The last update that appeared in this magazine involved McMahon’s appeal of the convictions. In summary, the Court of Appeal found the company, Great White Holdings, guilty on three counts of hunting wildlife without a licence, one count of illegal possession of wildlife and two counts of indictable fraud under the Criminal Code. The court also upheld the convictions of Lloyd McMahon, finding him guilty on two counts of hunting wildlife without a licence, one count of illegal possession of wildlife and two counts of indictable fraud under the Criminal Code. The court sent back five Wildlife Act counts for retrial. The Special Prosecutions Branch elected not to retry the company on these counts and those convictions have been quashed or set aside. The next appeal launched by McMahon involved the penalties that were imposed. The Court of Appeal ruled on those on May 31, 2005. The specifics of the appeal may be viewed at:www.albertacourts.ab.ca/jdb/2003-/ca/criminal/ 2005/2005abca0188.pdf The final results of the monetary penalties are as follows: Great White Holdings was assessed fines of $4,600 per count (three counts) involving hunting wildlife without a licence, $1,150 for one count of illegal possession of wildlife and $2,500 per count (two counts) for the fraud convictions. A total of $19,950 in penalties were assessed against the company. McMahon was handed fines of $4,600 per count (two counts) involving hunting wildlife without a licence, $1,150 for one count of illegal possession of wildlife and $2,500 per count (two counts) for the fraud convictions. Total fines of $15,350 were assessed against McMahon.
All
details
must
be
accurate
public
record. |
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