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Makah men face sentencing for illegal whale hunt
Friday, June 27, 2008
Filed Under: Environment | Law

Five members of the Makah Nation of Washington who hunted a whale without a federal permit will be sentenced on Monday.

Wayne Johnson and Andy Noel pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Federal prosecutors are seeking a 60-day sentence for the two men, plus one year of probation and 100 hours of community service, because they were considered the leaders of the hunt.

Three other tribal members who pleaded guilty for their roles in the hunt will also be sentenced. Federal prosecutors are seeking two years of probation and 100 hours of community service for Frankie Gonzales, Theron Parker and William Secor.

The tribe has a treaty that guarantees the right to hunt whales. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the tribe must follow the MMPA.

Get the Story:
Whalers' proposed sentence: 60 days in federal prison (The Peninsula Daily News 6/27)

Relevant Documents:
Draft EIS on Makah Whale-Hunting Request | Q&A

9th Circuit Decision:
Anderson v. Evans (June 7, 2004)

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