Striped Bass Poaching Trial Update

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Several months ago the Department of Fish and Game Special Operations Unit arrested 48 individuals involved in striped bass poaching on the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta. Arraignment proceedings will take place in the Sacramento Municipal Court, located on 7th and G Streets, on Thursday, April 12th at 8:30 a.m. The judge presiding at the arraignment is Honorable Gary E. Ransom, a retired Superior Court Judge. Interested parties are asked to write letters in support of the Department of Fish and Game in bringing the accused to justice, or attend the arraignment proceedings in person or writing a letter to the judge stating that the accused should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Judge Gary E. Ransom can be reached at 720 Ninth Street, Sacramento, CA (916) 874-5651. The California Striped Bass Association is planning to attend the hearing en mass to demonstrate their support. For further information, please contact Jay Sorensen at (209) 478-6645.

Sample Letter from CSBA website
Ms. Jan Skully
District Attorney
Sacramento County
Madam District Attorney,
I am a member of the California Striped Bass Association. The Association has eight chapters throughout Northern California, and we a very concerned about the dwindling state of our fisheries, not only Striped Bass, but all the specie that live in the Bay-Delta. While poaching is not the only reason for the decline of our fishery, it certainly is a large factor.
The Department of Fish and Game has arrested a large poaching ring (48 individuals). These individuals are scheduled for arraignment at 0830 on April 12. The California Striped Bass Association urges your office to seek the maximum penalty, should these individuals be found guilty.
Our Association has watched other poaching trials in other jurisdictions and we are very disappointed at the light sentences handed down. Poachers consider a fine as just the cost of doing business.
We would like these violators to do some time.
We plan on attending the arraignment and any follow up legal action.
Respectfully submitted,
John H. Banks
Board Member
California Striped Bass

The mailing address is: Ms. Jan Scully
District Attorney
Sacramento County
901 G Street
Sacramento, Ca. 95814

daweb@saccounty.net