Mark Anselm, Commercial Ship Pilot License Fraud, New York 2012

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - In a shocking case of deception, Mark Anselm, a 37-year-old resident of Clayton, New York, was sentenced to seven years in prison for piloting commercial ships on the Great Lakes with a fraudulent Coast Guard license.

U.S. District Judge Glen T. Suddaby handed down the sentence after Anselm pleaded guilty to six felony offenses, including making false statements to officials of the United States Coast Guard, possession and use of an altered merchant marine license, and aggravated identity theft.

Anselm's crimes were discovered by the Coast Guard after he grounded a tug boat in Canadian waters on June 19, 2012. The ensuing investigation revealed that Anselm had repeatedly presented fraudulent merchant marine licenses to employers and potential employers, altering them to substitute his name.

During the time period of 2011 and 2012, Anselm held himself out to federal officials, marina owners, and other potential employers as a licensed commercial ship pilot, when in fact he possessed no such license. He gained employment and captained various commercial ships on Lake Ontario, including operating a tour boat within the 1000 Islands.

Anselm was sentenced to three years of supervised release following his release from prison and was directed to submit to mental health counseling and treatment while in prison and thereafter.

The case was investigated by Special Agents of the Coast Guard Investigative Service, Buffalo Field Office and Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Inspector General. Prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Craig A. Benedict, who may be contacted for questions regarding this case at 315-448-0726.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant/Respondent: Mark Anselm, Exact Criminal Charges: making false statements to officials of the United States Coast Guard, possession and use of an altered merchant marine license, and aggravated identity theft, City and State: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, Exact Date: Not specified, Sentence or Outcome: seven years in prison and three years of supervised release, Dollar amounts: Not applicable.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/man-sentenced-piloting-commerical-ships-great-lakes-fraudulent-coast-guard-license