Charter operator admits illegal catch

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - A Virginia Beach charter boat operator faces up to a year in prison at his sentencing in May to trafficking in illegally harvested striped bass.

Raymond Carroll Webb also could be fined up to $100,000 after his plea agreement Monday in U.S. District Court in Norfolk. In addition, his company could also be fined up to $500,000.

Media outlets say Webb was one of five captains accused in November in connection with the illegal harvesting of striped bass, also known as rockfish.

Webb was fishing in an area that is off limits to striped bass in February 2011. When marine police approached, he ordered his first mate to dump the illegal catch back into the sea, according to court records.