Grimy Times has learned that a 65-year-old man from Seabrook, Texas has been taken into custody for allegedly operating an illegal charter cruise business.
Gordon Johnson, a 65-year-old Seabrook resident, was arrested this morning in Galveston, Texas, and is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Edison at 11 a.m. tomorrow.
The indictment, which was returned on December 1, alleges that Johnson operated the MV SPANISH PRINCESS without complying with an order from the highest-ranking U.S. Coast Guard officer in the Houston-Galveston area.
According to the charges, Johnson made false statements to U.S. Coast Guard personnel, claiming not to have paying passengers on his ship and instructing passengers to falsely tell personnel they were not paying passengers. He also allegedly forged the signature of the seller of the vessel on a U.S. Coast Guard bill of sale.
If convicted, Johnson faces up to 10 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He could also be ordered to forfeit the MV SPANISH PRINCESS.
The Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) conducted the investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam L. Goldman prosecuting the case with assistance from law clerk Kathleen Whitmore.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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