Minnesota Angler Gets Week in Jail for Cheating

  • Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    #1397064

    A Minnesota fisherman long suspected of cheating at tournaments has reportedly hooked an unwanted catch — a week in jail. The Park Rapids Enterprise reports that Alfred Mead, 72, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of theft by swindle on May 20 for bringing two previously captured fish into the Park Rapid American Legion Community Fishing Derby on Feb. 2. “Your conduct had a major impact on these [fishing tournaments],” Judge Robert Tiffany told Mead. “I hope you realize the seriousness of your conduct.” Cheating, Tiffany said, “takes the enjoyment and joy out of it for those who bring their kids” and honest participants. Mead, who has two prior gaming convictions and a decade-long trail of suspicious tournament winnings, is to report to the Hubbard County jail in one week, the newspaper reports. Mead also will receive four years’ probation and a $200 fine. He is also barred from the Legion Club for the length of his probation. Mead had faced a maximum penalty of five years in jail and/or a $10,000 fine. He admitted catching two northern pike at another lake and bringing them to the American Legion tournament. His fishing and hunting privileges were also revoked for two years.

    Story at Fox News

    dfresh
    Fridley, MN
    Posts: 3053
    #1397071

    1 week in jail and a small fine seems pretty light for a felony.

    wimwuen
    LaCrosse, WI
    Posts: 1960
    #1397073

    While I wish the penalties were stiffer, it’s pretty sweet that he got some jail time out of it.

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    #1397076

    Priors were over limit and fishing with two lines on two separate occasions.
    **********************

    Wonder who the winner is now?

    gary d
    cordova,il
    Posts: 1125
    #1397080

    He got caught how but, just think of all the illegal stuff he has done and no one knows about.

    Fife
    Ramsey, MN
    Posts: 4046
    #1397081

    I believe this is the same story that we talked about last year. Fox News story says June 2013.

    puddlepounder
    Cove Bay Mille Lacs lake MN
    Posts: 1814
    #1397117

    A felony is a felony. He can’t vote anymore, and most likely can’t be in possession of a firearm anymore either. Maybe a felon can chime in here and tell us what all goes along with being a felon and what freedoms you give up.

    mplspug
    Palmetto, Florida
    Posts: 25026
    #1397122

    As a ….. er nevermind. What were we talking about?

    desperado
    Posts: 3010
    #1397126

    Quote:


    ….. er nevermind. What were we talking about?


    stocks and bonds

    desperado
    Posts: 3010
    #1397128

    hey, maybe Albert Mead should be “bound” and placed in the “stocks” at Deane Park

    moxie
    Sioux City,IA
    Posts: 874
    #1397132

    No hunting and fishing privileges for 2 years.. He’s gonna go insane!

    puddlepounder
    Cove Bay Mille Lacs lake MN
    Posts: 1814
    #1397141

    The hunting part might be reduced to a bow and arrow after his probation.

    mplspug
    Palmetto, Florida
    Posts: 25026
    #1397146

    Quote:


    No hunting and fishing privileges for 2 years.. He’s gonna go insane!


    Something tells me A.) He’ll continue to fish B.) He’ll fish in another state* C.) All of the above

    *I didn’t read and have no knowledge of states sharing info for fishing privilege revocations.

    belletaine
    Nevis, MN
    Posts: 5116
    #1397148

    Quote:


    No hunting and fishing privileges for 2 years.. He’s gonna go insane!


    Rules have never mattered to this guy,that won’t change now.

    mwal
    Rosemount,MN
    Posts: 1050
    #1397155

    If he was to buy a license in another State MN participates in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact. Which mean the 35 other States and Canada would honor our 2 year ban and write him up for felony if he were to purchase a license or get caught fishing or hunting in a participating State or Province.

    Mwal

    belletaine
    Nevis, MN
    Posts: 5116
    #1397156

    This got me thinking…I can’t remember the last time I was asked to produce my fishing license. I think it was about ten years ago ice fishing on Mille Lacs.
    I get stopped for life jacket, fire ex., and so on.

    puddlepounder
    Cove Bay Mille Lacs lake MN
    Posts: 1814
    #1397162

    I know a guy that got pinched in north Dakota and could not fish or hunt here in Minnesota for the two years he had his privileges taken away. This was about 4 years ago, so the IWVC has been in place for a few years

    mplspug
    Palmetto, Florida
    Posts: 25026
    #1397165

    I produced mine last year once.

    I can’t imagine fishing without a license, at least on a popular body of water. How would you enjoy fishing when you are paranoid. Once you see a CO it is too late, if in fact they are checking every ones licenses.

    I am glad there is a IWVC agreement in place.

    belletaine
    Nevis, MN
    Posts: 5116
    #1397167

    Keeping over a limit is a situation I have rarely had the opportunity to find myself in!

    IceAsylum
    Wisconsin Dells WI
    Posts: 956
    #1397174

    Quote:


    I produced mine last year once.

    I can’t imagine fishing without a license, at least on a popular body of water. How would you enjoy fishing when you are paranoid. Once you see a CO it is too late, if in fact they are checking every ones licenses.
    I am glad there is a IWVC agreement in place.


    Sounds like paranoid is not in this idiots vocabulary.

    belletaine
    Nevis, MN
    Posts: 5116
    #1397176

    Quote:


    I produced mine last year once.

    I can’t imagine fishing without a license, at least on a popular body of water. How would you enjoy fishing when you are paranoid. Once you see a CO it is too late, if in fact they are checking every ones licenses.
    I am glad there is a IWVC agreement in place.


    I couldn’t do it, It would be impossible to enjoy the day.

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    #1397180

    Quote:


    I couldn’t do it, It would be impossible to enjoy the day.


    When I was first married I went to Medicine Lake fishing w/o a license. Couldn’t afford it.

    About 10 pm an officer started heading my way. I was in waders in the water. I started getting sweaty….then the the officer said, we’re closing the park soon, you need to get your car out of the park.

    It was such an experience that now even if the FW can’t eat, I’ll have a license before I go fishing.

    desperado
    Posts: 3010
    #1397181

    you could have a fishing license and yet be short on something to eat?
    Only a Catfish Guide could find himself in that situation!

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    #1397193

    I wouldn’t. Wife won’t eat fish.

    katmando
    Ramsey,MN pool 2, St.croix river
    Posts: 691
    #1397275

    The co’s hit pool 2 and the st. croix hard. I’m probably checked 5-6 times a year.

    mplspug
    Palmetto, Florida
    Posts: 25026
    #1397279

    …and the Croix was where I was checked.

    nhamm
    Inactive
    Robbinsdale
    Posts: 7348
    #1397287

    Haven’t seen a CO north of saint Anthony falls in my time. Was asked by a cop to see my fish license, they were skeptical I’d be out fishing in a snowstorm at the dam during the middle of winter
    Pressure dropped like a rock and full moon, who wouldn’t be fishing at 2am? They were nice about it and escorted me out.

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    #1397296

    Quote:


    they were skeptical I’d be out fishing in a snowstorm


    LEO’s seldom know much about fishing…take Deertracker for example.

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