NRP Blotter

A St. Mary’s County man was charged Thursday with multiple violations of blue crab regulations by the Maryland Natural Resources Police.

Harvey Richard McKenzie Jr., 42, of Mechanicsville, was observed by an officer selling crabs at the Charlotte Hall Farmers’ Market. He told the officer he caught the crabs on a trotline and was hoping to make some extra money.

The officer gave McKenzie citations for failing to have a recreational crabbing license and for selling crabs that were caught for recreational purposes. When the officer checked the crabs she found female crabs, which recreational crabbers are prohibited from harvesting, and 76 undersized male crabs.

The crabs were confiscated and returned to the waters of the state.

McKenzie is awaiting a date to appear in St. Mary’s District Court. If found guilty of all charges, he faces a maximum fine of $4,000.