Lakeport >> Thuan Van Ngo and Beem Thi Tran on Jan. 12 were convicted and sentenced for illegally catching and possessing crappie on Clear Lake. The pair exceeded catch limits by dramatic numbers.
On April 24, 2015 Fish and Wildlife wardens Doug Willson and Tim Little were observing fishing activity at the Holiday Harbor Marina in Nice. Wardens saw Clearlake residents Ngo and Tran, catching crappie,placing them in buckets and then place the buckets next to a car.
Wardens then watched a van pull up next to the buckets; the fish were placed in the van and both subjects left the area in the van with the fish. Approximately 15 minutes later they returned and began fishing again.
Wardens saw Tran catch and keep 54 crappie and Ngo 40 crappie. The daily catch and possession limit is 25 crappie per person.
Ngo denied having placed fish in the van before it left the area when the wardens spoke him. They searched the van and found fish hidden inside. The search revealed 110 crappie. After further discussions with the subjects, wardens obtained permission to search a business and residence belonging to the subjects in Clearlake. Wardens discovered and seized a total of 488 fish from their business and residence.
In total Tran and Ngo were in possession of 598 fish, 448 fish in excess of the amount they could legally possess.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff, charged Ngo and Tran with conspiracy and with taking and possessing fish exceeding the daily catch and possession limit. They were also charged with possessing more than three times the legal possession limit pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 12013, which increases the penalties that can be imposed.
On Jan. 12 Ngo and Tran both pled no contest to illegally catching crappie in excess of the daily bag limit. Judge Stephen O. Hedstrom sentenced both to three years probation and prohibited from fishing for three years. In addition Ngo was ordered to pay a fine of $4,100 and Tran was ordered to pay a fine and restitution of $965.
