A longtime Alaska sportfishing guide's Facebook posts have led to dozens of charges against him for fishing violations on the Kenai Peninsula.
The Homer News reports that Mel Erickson, 53, faces 43 charges including fishing or helping clients fish in an early-run special harvest area near Anchor Point, failing to record a king catch, taking an annual over-limit of kings, taking an annual overlimit of halibut, failing to retain halibut carcasses and failing to complete logbooks.
A check of online court records shows all of the charges against Erickson are misdemeanors or noncriminal offenses.
Charges against Erickson stemmed from a mid-May tip to troopers to check out Erickson's Facebook page. An Alaska wildlife trooper found images indicating fishing violations as well as a comment from Erickson describing his Anchor Point location, the Homer News reported, citing an affidavit filed nearly a month ago. Alaska Wildlife Troopers continued their investigation and witnessed numerous fishing violations.
After being contacted by the troopers, the Homer News reported, Erickson initially claimed he wasn't guiding a charter and that the fishermen were just friends, but he later admitted they had paid for the trip.
Erickson was arraigned June 23.