Eels

Fisherman Sentenced for Illegally Trafficking American Eels

Richard D. Austin was sentenced to 24 months' imprisonment yesterday for trafficking juvenile American eels (also called "elvers" or "glass eels") in violation of the Lacey Act, following a hearing in federal district court in Norfolk, Virginia. The sentence was announced by Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey H. Wood for the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division and United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Dana J. Boente.