Man charged with violation of Lacey Act

One coast seafood businessman has pled guilty to charges involving the violation of the Lacey Act and illegal possession of a shotgun. Cowart Seafood President Lonnie M. Ray pled guilty to both counts in federal court.
According to Mississippi law, seafood dealers are required to submit information about each seafood purchase from a commercial fisherman on a form provided by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. Ray admitted to violating this by failing to report his purchases and by buying fish from recreational fishermen in violation of state law.
Ray will be sentenced on July 25th.