February 12, 2015 — Three oyster harvesters and dealers, an employee and a related business were sentenced yesterday in federal court in Camden, New Jersey. Todd Reeves, Thomas Reeves, Renee Reeves, of Port Norris, New Jersey, and their oyster dealer company, Shellrock LLC, were sentenced for their roles in creating false oyster records, trafficking in illegally possessed oysters, obstructing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulation of public health and safety, and conspiring to commit those crimes. Kenneth Bailey, of Heislerville, New Jersey, was sentenced for creating false oyster records and trafficking in illegal oysters.
Todd Reeves was sentenced to serve 26 months in prison and three years of supervised release, to pay a $7,000 fine, and was ordered to pay New Jersey $140,000 for the restoration of oyster beds in Delaware Bay. Thomas Reeves was sentenced to serve 16 months in prison and three years of supervised release and pay a $7,000 fine, while Renee Reeves was sentenced to serve five years of probation and pay a $2,500 fine. Thomas, Renee and Shellrock were found liable for the restitution amount along with Todd. Todd and Thomas Reeves were additionally ordered to forfeit $144,000 to substitute assets for the vessels that they used to overharvest the oysters. The Reeves’ business, Shellrock, also known as “Reeves Brothers,” was ordered to pay a fine of $70,000 and complete a term of five years of probation.
Kenneth Bailey was sentenced to serve six months incarceration, followed by six months of home confinement and three years of supervised release, as well as to pay a $10,000 fine. Bailey was also ordered to forfeit $75,000 in substitute assets for the vessels that he used to overharvest the oysters.
“The conspiracy to traffic in overharvested, unreported and illegally possessed oysters from the Delaware Bay violated laws that protect public health and ensure the sustainability of resources,” said Assistant Attorney General John C. Cruden of the Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The defendants’ actions were harmful to honest fisherman of the Delaware Bay and the long-term viability of a resource that is vital to the local economy and plays an important role in the history of Southern New Jersey. Today’s sentences let the public know that we will not allow protected resources to be exploited, and that those who obstruct law enforcement and deprive honest fisherman of the full measure of their labor will be held accountable.”