Anchorage, AK – A former crew member of the motor vessel M/B Sohoh received a federal sentence in 2002 for his role in a deliberate scheme to pollute Alaskan waters and then cover it up, according to court documents reviewed by GrimyTimes. Je Yong Lee, a member of the Sohoh’s crew, pled guilty to charges stemming from the illegal discharge of oily waste directly into the ocean.
The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division, revealed that the M/B Sohoh was equipped with a bypass mechanism designed to circumvent the ship’s oily water separator (OWS). This allowed the crew to illegally discharge untreated oily waste overboard, violating international and U.S. maritime law. The OWS is a crucial piece of equipment mandated to prevent oil from entering the marine environment. Investigators discovered that the vessel was actively using this bypass, discharging the waste through the overboard discharge valve.
What compounded the offense was the deliberate falsification of the ship’s oil record books. These logs are legally required to accurately document any discharges, including accidental or exceptional events. In this instance, the oil record books contained *no* record of the illegal discharges, indicating a concerted effort to mislead authorities and conceal the environmental crime. Lee admitted to knowingly participating in this falsification.
Legal Ramifications
Lee was initially charged on March 21, 2002, with two counts of making false statements in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001, and one count of obstruction of justice, a violation of 18 U.S.C. 1505. He was also found to have violated the MARPOL Protocol – Prevention of Pollution from Ships and 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(4), which specifically addresses illegal discharges from vessels. The MARPOL Protocol is an international convention aimed at preventing pollution from ships.
On May 28, 2002, Lee entered a guilty plea to all three counts. The sentence, handed down on October 1, 2002, included four months of incarceration, followed by a three-year probationary period. Notably, no financial fine was imposed. While the sentence appears lenient, prosecutors emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable for environmental crimes, particularly those involving deliberate deception.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Je Yong Lee
- Vessel: M/B Sohoh
- Location: Alaskan Waters
- Year of Offense: 2002 (sentence in 2002, investigation began in 2002 regarding 2001-2002 events)
- Crime: Illegal discharge of oily waste and falsification of ship records.
- Laws Violated: 18 U.S.C. 1001, 18 U.S.C. 1505, MARPOL Protocol, 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(4)
- Sentence: 4 months incarceration, 36 months probation.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in enforcing maritime environmental regulations and the critical role of diligent investigation and prosecution in protecting vulnerable marine ecosystems. GrimyTimes will continue to follow maritime crime and report on environmental violations.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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