Federal jury in Charleston finds Lowcountry fisherman guilty of lying about his catch

A federal jury in Charleston deliberated two hours Thursday afternoon before finding a Lowcountry commercial fisherman guilty of making false statements about the number of fish he caught.

The fisherman, Don Michael Rynn, 61, who testified in his own defense, will be sentenced at a later date. Rynn, of Augustine, Fl., managed several commercial fishing vessels in the area of McClellanville, an inland port in northeastern Charleston County, which has access to the Atlantic Ocean.

There are limits on the amount of certain kind of fish that commercial anglers are allowed to catch. Enforcement of fishing laws is considered vital to protecting species from being depleted, according to prosecution evidence. .

In Rynn’s case, in March 2023, he made false statements to agents and in required reports about how many snowy grouper and tilefish he caught, according to evidence in the case.

Both fish are regarded as tasty and good to eat.

Rynn caught more than 350 pounds of snowy grouper than he was allowed to, according to evidence in the case.

“Those who attempt to circumvent federal fishing regulations and deceive law enforcement will be held accountable. Our marine resources are vital, and we will not tolerate those who prioritize personal gain over sustainable practices and the rule of law,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews for the District of South Carolina.

Correct statements about the number of certain fish that are caught are necessary so regulators can determine whether a fish population may be in danger of being depleted, according to prosecution evidence in the case. Reports are submitted to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Southeast Fisheries Science Center.

The trial lasted three days. About a dozen witnesses testified for the prosecution, and they included deckhands and a scientist. Evidence in the case included a surveillance tape that showed Rynn with nearly 600 pounds of snowy grouper.

The case began after the S.C. Department of Natural Resources received a tip of a “suspected commercial fish overage,” according to a U.S. Attorney’s office press release.

Tilefish and snowy grouper, fish that live near reefs, are relatively long-lived species whose populations can take years to recover if they are overfished.

The maximum penalty Rynn is exposed to is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced at a later date after a report is prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Judge Richard Gergel presided.

Federal prosecutors in the case were Winston Holliday and Amy Bower.

Rynn’s attorneys were federal public defenders Brendan Daniels and Cody Groeber.

The case was investigated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, the U.S. Coast Guard, the DNR and the DNR Saltwater Team.

This story was originally published March 21, 2025 at 9:44 AM with the headline "Federal jury in Charleston finds Lowcountry fisherman guilty of lying about his catch."