Case library · Busted!
Oysters Off the Books
United States v. Reeves (2015)
Charge: Oyster overharvest & false recordsCourt: U.S. District Court, D. New JerseyState: New JerseyDocket: Busted!
Does harvesting beyond an oyster allocation and papering it over amount to trafficking in unlawfully taken shellfish?
The facts
A family shellfish business worked a bay for more than four years, landing far more oysters than its allocation allowed. More than $750,000 worth came ashore beyond the limit. The extra was covered with paper: false dealer reports, false harvester records, false health records filed with state and federal food regulators, and bills of lading that did not match the loads on the trucks.
You have the facts the court had. Guilty or not guilty? Call it in the game with your friends, then see what the court actually decided. Wrong call, you drink.
Citation: United States v. Reeves (D.N.J. 2015)
Read more at justice.gov. The source reveals the outcome.