Man guilty in illegal bass harvest

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - A Hudgins, Va. man and his fishing corporation pleaded guilty in court Wednesday to illegally harvesting and trafficking striped bass.

According to Peter Carr with the U.S. Attorney's Office, 41-year-old Jeffrey Adams broke the Lacey Act, which makes it illegal to import or export any fish or wildlife in violation of U.S. law.

Carr said Adams and his company, Adams Fishing Adventures, Inc. sold a striped bass fishing trip in January 2012 for $800. Adams knowingly guided 10 clients to an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to harvest striped bass, even though he knew it was a violation of US law to harvest bass inside the EEZ.

The fish were later transported to Rudee Inlet in Virginia Beach, according to Carr.

Adams could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine as forfeiting the vessel used in the crime. His company could face a maximum fine of $500,000.

Adams will be sentenced April 18, 2013.