Dorchester County man faces more than 100 counts of oyster poaching
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Version 0 of 1. A 26-year-old man faces more than 100 counts of oyster poaching in waters off the Chesapeake Bay. The Maryland Natural Resources Police said they charged James Alexander Horseman of Dorchester County with 146 counts of harvesting undersized oysters. He faces a trial in April, and if convicted, could face a maximum of $146,000. Officers with the natural resources department caught Horseman as he was navigating his skipjack in Tedious Creek in the Toddville area to a dock, according to authorities. When officers checked the first batch of his oysters on his boat — 152 bushels — they alleged that they were not of the legal size. More officers were brought in to help go through the entire catch. Officials said the bushels “ranged from 8 percent to 30 percent under the state minimum size of three inches.” The undersized oysters were returned to state waters. Officials said they are considering additional charges against Horseman. Officials said Horseman has previously been involved in illegally harvesting oysters. He was found guilty in Dorchester County of harvesting undersized oysters in 2012 and 2013. |