Natural Resources Police Charge Poachers, Arrest Impaired Boater

Maryland Natural Resources Police officers handled striped bass poaching violations, arrested a man for indecent exposure and charged a boater with impaired operation in some recent cases.

A Virginia man and woman were charged Tuesday with illegal fishing in Dorchester County after officers found 17 undersized striped bass in their car.

OK Ryun Jang, 52, and Bokseok Kwon, 60, both of Centreville, each received citations for violating state law on size and number of striped bass in their possession. Jang also received a citation for keeping an undersized black drum. Kwon received a citation for keeping an undersized spotted trout.

The two were observed by officers on surveillance just before midnight near Ferry Bridge on Hooper Island. A search of their car turned up 24 striped bass, 17 of them under 20 inches in length. The pair had 20 striped bass over their limit.

Jang and Kwon are scheduled to appear in Dorchester County District Court Nov. 16. If they choose to contest the charges and are found guilty, each could be fined as much as $4,500.

An Anne Arundel County man was charged with indecent exposure and disorderly conduct last Tuesday by officers patrolling Isle of Wight Park in Worcester County.

Michael James Kirchner, 62, of Hanover, was arrested after he exposed himself to park patrons and anglers on the fishing pier while he was seated in his car.

Kirchner is scheduled to appear in Worcester County District Court for a hearing Oct. 14.

A New Jersey boater is due in Cecil County District Court Oct. 12 after he was arrested on the Elk River for operating under the influence of alcohol.

Michael Bryan Moore, 37, of Alloway, was stopped Sept. 11 near the mouth of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal by officers who attended a 9/11 ceremony at the Chesapeake City Park.

A citizen pointed out a boat and its rowdy occupants. As officers left the ceremony at about at 8 p.m., they saw Moore exceeding the posted speed limit and creating a wake in a no-wake zone.

While conducting a vessel safety check, officers noticed Moore had slurred speech, bloodshot and glassy eyes. On board, they saw cups containing alcoholic beverages and empty beer cans.

Officers towed his boat back to shore, where Moore failed field sobriety tests. A breathalyzer test administered by Maryland State Police recorded a blood alcohol content of .20, more than twice the legal limit.

Moore was charged with two counts of impaired operation and received a warning for exceeding the posted speed limit. He was released to a sober person.