Maryland Waterman Charged With Poaching Undersized Oysters

TODDVILLE, Md. (WJZ) -- A Maryland waterman who was already convicted twice of poaching oysters, was charged Friday with 146 counts of harvesting undersized oysters by Maryland Natural Resources Police.

James Alexander Horseman, 26, of Madison, is scheduled for trial in Dorchester County District Court on April 4.

If Horseman is found guilty, he faces a maximum fine of $146,000.

Officers intercepted him on Feb. 9 as he navigated his skipjack through Tedious Creek in Toddville to dock.

They checked the first 152 bushels aboard the vessel and found the oysters to be undersized.

The oysters ranged from 8 percent to 30 percent under the state's minimum of 3 inches.

Additional charges are pending.

Horesman was found guilty of harvesting undersized oysters in 2013 and 2015.