8 Montgomery County Fishermen Charged With Poaching

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Eight Montgomery County men were charged over the weekend with poaching striped bass in Dorchester County, according to Maryland Natural Resources Police.

Three men were caught shortly before 4 a.m. Friday near Ferry Bridge on Hooper Island with 36 striped bass, 31 of which were undersized.

Juan C. Ardon Gonzalez, 44, Melvin Omar Guzman, 45, and Juan Francisco Cruz-Hernandez, 33, all of Gaithersburg, were charged with catching over the recreational limit of two fish, keeping undersized striped bass, catching fish outside legal hours and keeping an undersized sea trout.

All three men must appear in Dorchester County District Court Nov. 11. If found guilty, each man faces a maximum fine of $5,500.

On Saturday just after midnight, officers caught three men in the same area who had 23 striped bass, 22 of which were undersized.

Julio Cesar Najera Maldonado, 32, and Melvin Gerardo Maldonado, 36, both of Silver Spring, and Roberto Carlos Rivera Sibrian, 38, of Gaithersburg, were each charged with catching over the recreational limit of two fish and keeping undersized striped bass.

They are scheduled to appear in Dorchester County District Court Dec. 21. If found guilty of all charges, they each face a maximum fine of $3,500.

Finally Sunday before dawn, officers caught two men at Fishing Creek Bridge with 16 striped bass, 14 of which were undersized.

Manuel DeJesus Cruz, 48, and Pablo Anto Saravia Sagastizado, 29, both of Silver Spring, received citations for catching over the recreational limit of two fish, keeping undersized striped bass and catching fish outside legal hours.

Both men are scheduled to appear in Dorchester County District Court Dec. 21. If found guilty of all charges, they each face a maximum fine of $3,000.