A federal grand jury in Alaska has indicted five commercial fishermen accused of orchestrating a long-running illegal halibut harvest scheme in Southeast Alaska. The case centers around the fishing vessel Bad Intentions. Prosecutors say it was used to harvest and transfer thousands of pounds of halibut in violation of federal law.
The indictment alleges that from 2019 to 2023, the group conspired to violate the Lacey Act by unlawfully harvesting and selling halibut near Yakutat. Prosecutors claim the men falsified landing records, misused Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) permits, and moved fish between vessels without required observers on board.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced the indictment on August 4.
The ‘Bad Intentions’ Defendants
The defendants include Jonathan Pavlik, 43, of Yakutat; Vincent Jacobson, 51, of Yakutat; Kyle Dierick, 36, of Yakutat; Michael Babic, 42, of Cordova; and Timothy Ross, 58, of Washington.
According to the DOJ, Pavlik faces the most serious charges, including four counts of conspiracy, five counts of unlawful sale of halibut, and five counts of false labeling. The other four men each face one count of conspiracy.
Alaska officials tightly regulate the halibut fishery through a quota system that ensures sustainability and prevents overfishing. NOAA Fisheries issues IFQ permits under strict rules and requires detailed documentation of all landings to maintain compliance.
Court documents allege that Pavlik organized the scheme and used his fishing operations to circumvent IFQ regulations. Prosecutors claim the men sold halibut under false records and failed to comply with observer requirements that ensure accountability in the commercial fishery.
Alaska officials tightly regulate the halibut fishery through a quota system that ensures sustainability and prevents overfishing. NOAA Fisheries issues IFQ permits under strict rules and requires detailed documentation of all landings to maintain compliance.
Vessel Transfers and False Records
The indictment identifies the Bad Intentions as a key vessel in the scheme. The DOJ alleges that between August 31 and October 11, 2023, Pavlik and crew harvested halibut aboard the Bad Intentions. Then, they transferred more than 9,600 pounds of fish to the fishing vessel New Era.
According to the District Attorney’s Office press release, this transfer violated federal law because Pavlik was not on board the New Era during the entire trip, which is a requirement for IFQ landings. The accused then sold the halibut to a processor using false documentation that concealed the illegal activity.
In total, the indictment alleges the group illegally harvested more than 10,700 pounds of halibut.
Tight Regulations for a Reason
Halibut are tightly regulated in Alaska because they’re a slow-growing, long-lived species that’s vulnerable to overfishing. The fishery supports both commercial and subsistence harvesters and plays a major role in coastal economies.
To protect the resource, Alaska and federal managers use Individual Fishing Quotas (IFQs) that limit how much each permit holder can catch. These quotas help prevent the boom-and-bust cycles that have devastated other fisheries. Strict monitoring, landing reports, and onboard observer requirements ensure fairness, reduce waste, and support long-term sustainability of halibut stocks in the North Pacific.
These safeguards make it harder to cheat without getting caught.
However, halibut are valuable fish, and there’s a strong incentive to skirt the rules if someone thinks they can get away with it. Catching violators is relatively rare, but those violations typically involve unreported landings, fishing outside quota limits, or transferring catch between vessels without proper authorization.
Potential Penalties
Each Lacey Act violation carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. If convicted, the men could also face forfeiture of proceeds and equipment related to the alleged crimes.
The case will be prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. The defendants are scheduled for initial court appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew M. Scoble in Juneau.
Alaska officials tightly regulate the halibut fishery through a quota system that ensures sustainability and prevents overfishing. NOAA Fisheries issues IFQ permits under strict rules and requires detailed documentation of all landings to maintain compliance.
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