Corey Potter, an Alaska-based crab fisherman, pleaded guilty on February 7, 2025, to violating the Lacey Act by illegally transporting over 7,000 pounds of crab from Alaska to Seattle in 2024. The plea is part of an ongoing case involving illegal fishing practices and misreporting of harvested crab. Potter’s sentencing is scheduled for May 13, 2025.(No. 3:24-CR-00047 (District of Alaska)
Potter, who owns two crab-catching vessels, was involved in an illegal operation with his son, Kyle Potter, and a third defendant, Justin Welch. The three men harvested Tanner and Golden king crabs from Southeast Alaska in February and March 2024. Instead of landing the catch in Alaska, where it would have been subject to inspection, the group intentionally diverted the shipment to Seattle, Washington, where they hoped to sell the crab at a higher price.
In addition to the illegal transport, neither Kyle Potter nor Welch recorded the crab harvest on the required fish ticket, a violation of Alaska’s state laws. The illegal shipment caused significant damage, as much of the crab arrived dead and unmarketable. Furthermore, a portion of the crab was found to be infected with Bitter Crab Syndrome (BCS), a parasitic disease fatal to crustaceans. The contamination forced authorities to destroy more than 4,000 pounds of Tanner crab due to the risk of spreading the disease.
Kyle Potter, Corey’s son, was previously sentenced to a $20,000 fine and five years of probation for his role in the illegal activities. Justin Welch, the third defendant, was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and serve a three-year probation term.
This case was investigated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Law Enforcement, which plays a critical role in enforcing federal wildlife protection laws such as the Lacey Act. The Lacey Act is designed to combat illegal wildlife trafficking, and this case highlights the severe consequences of circumventing regulations designed to protect marine life and maintain sustainable fishing practices.
The illegal actions of the Potter family and Welch caused environmental harm and economic loss, underlining the importance of proper reporting and adherence to fishing regulations to protect Alaska’s vital crab industries.
