By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – A 56-year-old man caught fishing when he shouldn’t have been on the Cowlitz River was sentenced yesterday to almost two years in prison.
Robert L. Niquette was on the water near the Blue Creek boat launch out of Salkum at about 10 o’clock one night this past December when a Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife officer on patrol recognized the lone vehicle in the parking lot.
The officer heard a motorboat and watched for awhile as two individuals fished in the dark.
Yesterday, in Lewis County Superior Court, a judge imposed a 22-month sentence on the Vancouver, Washington resident.
“It’s not just fishing without a license,” Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Eric Eisenberg said today. “But fishing when his right to fish had been revoked for life.
“This is his third conviction for that.”
Eisenberg said Niquette pleaded guilty on the morning his trial was to begin last month.
When they went before a judge yesterday, even Eisenberg thought the potential penalty was awfully high.
The standard sentencing range, given Niquette’s number of previous convictions, was 22 to 29 months, Eisenberg said.
“My recommendation was 15, cause that’s really a lot,” he said. “And in fact, he did not catch anything.”
Judge James Lawler gave the defendant five days credit for time already served in the jail
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
I know the guy , he is a good fisherman , he doesnt snag them or anything , he just loves to fish. He has other issues but dont we all. It is kinda harsh sentance for fishing . There are alot worse criminals out there that is for sure. And I agree our government is getting out of control. It probably is to late to do anything about it.
It isn’t widely known, but he was molesting the fish. Thats why he got such a lengthy sentence.
Worse things are happening in our world. Fixate on those for a change. Leave people alone that are feeding their families. A fishing license is very expensive these days. You need a tag, stamp or even an extra endorsement to fish Columbia River tributaries. I find no fault but government always can.
Bill S. I take it your an Infowarrior to At Infowars .com
Yeah @ Freeair the police took over 50,000 thousand in cash from them I wish I knew how that money is being used. Im sure they didnt buy body cameras with the cash. I take one deer each year from my property without permission from our Government. Im not going to ever get a license to take a deer and feed myself. God put me here not my Government I follow Gods Laws not the Government. The fisherman has no victim so as God sees it there is no crime committed. How long are we going to let this Tyranical Government control our God given rights to feed ourselves and our familys upon the land thats provided for us? All this could stop in a matter of days, we out number the police a thousand to one. This is what the Second Amendment is about, not owning guns for hunting its to protect ourselves from the Tyranical Government officials that interfear with Gods Laws. Gather in mass or be rounded up by the Government one at a time. Sounds crazy but this is the the only way to make a change. It would be a beautiful site to see ten thousand patriots take control of the jail and hold court in the streets. The uprising is coming to a town near you.
Even bigger crime against nature than that is when tacoma power built that last dam on the Cowlitz with no fish ladder. They killed the entire natural salmon and steelhead runs in the upper cowlitz.
Personally I’m not an anarchist. Just one of the “good Germans” living fat and happy in the decaying empire.
How many fish did the Deep Water Horizen Oil rig kill? This is why We have the Second Amendment to overthrow a Tyranical Government. Question is when will we stand up and take them over? Im ready lets gather in mass and do it. We are sick of Government Control agree?
It always amazes me as to how much info fish and game retains on Washington State citizens to get a fishing or hunting license. Just about like the NSA.
Just like merry old England in medieval times. It’s the King’s forest and the King’s game, and the King’s fish.
I suppose that Niquette could have gotten a little time for his 3rd offense but would think 30 days would be appropriate.
Fishing without a license = 2 years.
Multi million drug operation in Onalaska with school enhancement = 30 days.
Enter the US Illegally = benefits for life.
There’s something really rotten in the way our laws are being enforced nation wide.
fisher men & women who go by the laws and pay for fishing license – should be glad . Seems this guy had no respect for rules being his 3rd time caught..& how many times did he fish illegal and did not get caught?
This is terribly disgusting to me that a prosecutor in our community would even try such a case. Then again it is Eric Eisenberg that doesn’t surprise me in the least. It also seems to me that revoking ones right to fish for life is unconstitutional. Why should the government be allowed to tell a citizen that they can not have fish that God put on this world for humans to eat? There are a million other cases that they could have tried besides this one. Who was the man harming that warranted giving him 22 months for fishing? These are the reasons I preach what I preach. If we don’t stand up to our government officials and start holding them accountable soon. It is going to cause life and freedom as we know it to evaporate. This case really upsets me.
But if he had molested or abused a kid: 60 day suspended sentence
Jail time for fishing ? Welcome to the police state. This is what happens when you start giving gold stars to cops when they kill people for stealing burritos and not yielding or not taking your hands out of their pockets when little big brother threatens you with their Springfield. Government employees should be reduced by half and their retirements too. Body cams are coming. The golden age of police and military brutality is here I hope we as a people have the wisdom to shut them down if we can. The system looks like it’s already gone too far. Sad. Demand body cams! These little issues will really make a difference if people really have had enough. One issue at time. One lawsuit at atime. United we stand divided we fall.
Two years for fishing without the Government’s permission. Yay, liberty.