For Release: Thursday, May 22, 1997

Contact: Stephen Hall 277-3070

Stephanie Powell 277-2771 ext. 4418

PROVIDENCE - Wayne K. Hawkins, 28, of 56 Riverside Av., Johnston, was fined $950 and court costs of $845 yesterday in 4th District Court in Wakefield on charges relating to illegal lobstering activities brought by the RI Department of Environmental Management.

Hawkins was arrested by DEM Conservation Officer Francis Ethier May 6 at the North Kingstown boat ramp off Intrepid Drive after she noticed that the numbers on the boat he was in were improperly displayed. When questioned, Hawkins first gave Officer Ethier false information about his identity and an active lobster license belonging to his brother. While inspecting the boat, the DEM officer found 13 undersized lobsters in a cooler opened by a companion of Hawkins, and a lack of sufficient personal flotation devices. According to Ethier, Hawkins told her he often used his brother's license to haul his brother's lobster gear, since he couldn't get a license himself.

Hawkins appeared before Judge Gilbert Indeglia May 21 and was charged with lobstering without a license, possession of 13 undersize lobsters, having insufficient personal flotation devices and obstruction of a conservation officer. He pled nolo to all charges and was fined and assessed court costs on all charges. He also was given a one year suspended sentence, with one year probation, on the obstruction charge