A federal grand jury returned an indictment Wednesday charging a Livingston County man with conspiracy to sell shovelnose sturgeon and their roe that were taken in violation of Kentucky law.
According to the indictment, 51-year old Charles Hopkins of Smithland was charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act. The indictment alleges that in the spring of 2016, 2017, and 2018, Hopkins, working with others, transported and sold shovelnose sturgeon and their roe in interstate commerce, knowing that the fish were taken in violation of and in an unlawful manner under the laws and regulations of Kentucky.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett says the defendant will make an initial court appearance on a later date before the U.S. Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. If convicted, he says Hopkins faces up to 5 years in prison. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case is being investigated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Madison Sewell is prosecuting this case.
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