Native whalers plead guilty in Tacoma
Published: March 28, 2008 at 5:54 PM
TACOMA, Wash., March 28 (UPI) -- Three Native American whalers pleaded guilty in Tacoma, Wash., federal court Friday to charges of unlawfully harpooning a gray whale.
The U.S. Attorney's office said in a statement that the two co-defendants deemed to be more culpable in the unauthorized whale hunt would go to trial.
Guilty pleas to the misdemeanor charges were entered by Frankie Gonzalez, Theron Parker and William Secor. Prosecutors will recommend probation and community service when they are sentenced on June 6.
The other two defendants, Wayne Johnson and Andrew Knoll, will stand trial April 8.
The Coast Guard picked up the five members of the Makah Tribe last fall after they harpooned a gray whale in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and then shot it several times.
The Makah are a traditional whaling tribe; however, they have not been able to obtain a permit to harvest a whale since 1999. The Seattle Times said the unauthorized foray angered wildlife activists who have vowed to try to block any future hunts.
The U.S. Attorney's office said in a statement that the two co-defendants deemed to be more culpable in the unauthorized whale hunt would go to trial.
Guilty pleas to the misdemeanor charges were entered by Frankie Gonzalez, Theron Parker and William Secor. Prosecutors will recommend probation and community service when they are sentenced on June 6.
The other two defendants, Wayne Johnson and Andrew Knoll, will stand trial April 8.
The Coast Guard picked up the five members of the Makah Tribe last fall after they harpooned a gray whale in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and then shot it several times.
The Makah are a traditional whaling tribe; however, they have not been able to obtain a permit to harvest a whale since 1999. The Seattle Times said the unauthorized foray angered wildlife activists who have vowed to try to block any future hunts.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
» Next in Top News:
Russian tycoon has no Alaska tunnel plan
A Palestinian refugee Mohamad Harb 85 year Old . shows his old house keys from his former village as a symbol of hope that his may return his one day on May 12, 2008 in his Rafah refugee camp which is located within the Gaza Strip. Harb used to live in the village of Hmamh before his family was forced to immigrate to the Gaza Strip in 1948. After sixty years Harb has hope of returning to his old village which is now in Israeli territory and is named Kreat Hmamh. Traditionally Palestinians commemorate May 15th as Nakba Day or Catastrophe Day, the day the Israeli State was created in 1948.(UPI Photo/Ismael Mohamad)
Traditionally Palestinians commemorate May 15th as Catastrophe Day
Full Photo
| Slideshow
Latest Headlines
Most Popular
- UPI NewsTrack Quirks in the News
- British pet psychic helps find lost dog
- Man cuts car in half to make a point
- Speedo-wearing beach bum sues cops
- Baseballs bombard homes; field shut down
- Pastor says to forgive skull pot smokers
- Commander probed in nude shooting case
- Romantic teen runs afoul of girl's dad