Fisherman Admits To Trafficking Striped Bass

BALTIMORE (AP) -- A St. Michaels fisherman has pleaded guilty to trafficking in illegally harvested striped bass.

Thirty-seven-year-old Lawrence "Daniel" Murphy entered the plea Friday in federal court in Baltimore.

According to his plea deal, Murphy worked on a ship owned and operated by Michael Hayden and William Lednum. Prosecutors say the three used illegally weighted or anchored gill nets and exceeded their maximum daily vessel limit of striped bass.

Hayden and Lednum pleaded guilty in the case and will be sentenced in November; Murphy will be sentenced in December.