Three men have pleaded guilty to scuttling abandoned vessels in Long Island Sound without a permit, a crime that has raised concerns about the environmental impact of such actions.
JOHN MAGNESS, 71, of Southbury; PETER ALBRECHT, 70, of Norwalk; and CARLOS SANTOS, 60, of Westbrook, each pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of navigable waters by sinking a vessel, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of one year and a fine of up to $100,000.
The men were accused of scuttling at least five vessels between October 2018 and April 2019, as part of a scheme to dispose of abandoned vessels from Bluefish Cove Marina in Bridgeport, where Magness was the owner and Albrecht worked.
According to court documents, Magness agreed to forgive Santos’ unpaid dockage fees in exchange for his help sinking the vessels. The men are currently released pending sentencing.
The matter is being investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren C. Clark.
The scuttling of abandoned vessels in Long Island Sound has raised concerns about the environmental impact of such actions, as well as the potential risks to navigation and safety.
The three defendants are scheduled to be sentenced at a later date. Their current status is pending sentencing.
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Key Facts
- State: Connecticut
- Category: Environmental Crime|Violent Crime|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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