A Chehalis man was charged with a class C felony after allegedly selling three salmon without a license.
Harvey J. Ferguson, 69, was charged with one count of second-degree unlawful trafficking in fish or wildlife. He was released on his own recognizance during a preliminary hearing Friday afternoon, with his attorney saying he had no intention of breaking any law.
According to a probable cause affidavit, an off-duty Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife officer watched Ferguson make an illegal sale of fish in Napavine. The officer allegedly saw Ferguson, standing near his truck, place three fish in a white garbage bag and hand them to a woman. She then handed over either cash or a check.
The officer identified Ferguson through the truck’s license plate. He also identified the woman who bought the fish, and went to her house to ask some questions. The woman was “shocked” to learn the transaction was illegal, as it didn’t include a valid license. She said she paid $3 per fish.
The woman still had the fish, and handed them over to the officer, who identified them as pink salmon — a fish that can be caught for personal consumption but not sold without the right license.
The officer made contact with Ferguson, who said he was retired and spent all his time fishing.
“He said once in a while, he gives fish away to different people. He said that he wouldn’t give any more fish away,” read court documents.
He appeared out of custody to a preliminary hearing Friday in response to a summons.
The Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office asked for a $5,000 unsecured bond, but Judge Andrew Toynbee instead sided with defense attorney Rachael Tiller who asked that he instead be released on his own recognizance.
He has an arraignment hearing set for Oct. 18.
