A brook trout, common in New York waters. Photo illustration by Maël Balland on Unsplash.
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced last week that Robert Everett, 55, of Cuddebackville, was arrested on July 7, and charged with three counts of illegal commercialization of fish, shellfish, crustaceans and wildlife and one count of possession over the limit in violation of sections of state Environmental Conservation Laws.
The charges arise from an investigation that Everett was selling and offering for sale wild caught trout in violation of state law. Everett was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Deerpark Justice Court.
As alleged in charging documents filed in court, Everett sold hundreds of dollars’ worth of wild caught trout on various dates in May 2023.
On May 24, after selling a quantity of trout, he offered to sell additional trout.
On that same day, Department of Environmental Conservation Police executed a search warrant at Everett’s home and recovered trout that was valued at more than $480.
In total, the police recovered just under 40 pounds of trout with a value of more than $700.
Earlier this year, on March 31, Everett was issued two summonses for illegal possession of fish and taking fish out of season after he was caught fishing along the Neversink River prior to the start of the legal trout season.
If convicted of the four charges, Everett faces up to a fine of $5,000 and one-year incarceration.
“Enjoying our natural resources is a shared privilege and also a shared responsibility,” Hoovler said in the press release detailing the charges. “ The laws enacted to protect wildlife apply to everyone who seeks to partake in outdoor activities. Where, as is alleged in this case, an individual seeks to profit in violation of the laws meant to protect wildlife, law enforcement will look to hold those responsible to account for their actions.”