Natural Resources Police Blotter

Keith Eric Thomas

A waterman already prohibited from harvesting wild oysters was charged Wednesday with violating that order by Maryland Natural Resources Police.

Officers on saturation patrol on the Patuxent River near Broomes Island stopped a work boat to check 30 bushels of oysters. A man who identified himself as Brian Thomas told officers he was measuring and sorting oysters. He did not provide identification when asked.

One of the officers recognized him as Keith Eric Thomas, 43, of Stevensville. In May 2013, Thomas had his commercial license permanently revoked by the Department of Natural Resources after he was twice charged in a one-month period with harvesting oysters from a sanctuary off the Choptank River in Talbot County.

The charge of oyster harvesting after revocation carries a maximum fine of $25,000 and up to one year in jail. Officers will be meeting with the St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney’s Office to review the case and charges.