Gordon Johnson, Operating Illegal Charter Cruise Business, Texas 2023

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Gordon Johnson Convicted of Operating Illegal Charter Cruise Business in Galveston

A 66-year-old Seabrook man has been convicted of operating an illegal charter cruise business in the Galveston area, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Gordon Johnson pleaded guilty to a violation of captain of the port order for his involvement in the illegal charter cruise business. Johnson admitted to operating the MV SPANISH PRINCESS without complying with an order from the highest-ranking U.S. Coast Guard officer in the Houston-Galveston area.

Johnson made false statements to authorities, claiming he had paying passengers on his ship. He also instructed passengers, one of whom was a police officer, to inform U.S. Coast Guard personnel that they were not paying passengers.

‘The Coast Guard Investigative Service is firmly committed to partnering with law enforcement agencies to identify and stop those who pose a hazard to the boating public,’ said Special Agent in Charge Brian Jeanfreau, CGIS Gulf Region. ‘Ensuring mariners are fully qualified to safely operate passenger vessels is of utmost importance to the U.S. Coast Guard.’

As part of his plea, Johnson also admitted to engaging in another scheme in which he took money from a couple for a trip that never occurred. The couple paid him $20,000 to transport them on the MV SPANISH PRINCESS to Roatan, Honduras, where they were going to live. The trip did not happen, and Johnson only returned $1,000 of their money.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown accepted the plea and set sentencing for November 1. At that time, Johnson faces up to 10 years in prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He could also be ordered to forfeit the MV SPANISH PRINCESS.

Johnson was previously released on bond and was permitted to remain on bond pending the hearing. The Coast Guard Investigative Service conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam L. Goldman prosecuted the case.