A Santa Cruz man suspected of hitting harbor seals with his skim board in May was charged in federal court Thursday with taking a marine mammal. He faces up to a year in federal prison and a $20,000 fine, the U.S. Attorney’s Office reported.
William Lester Johnsen, 37, allegedly beat harbor seals on Main Beach near the mouth of the San Lorenzo River on May 23, according to authorities. State Parks rangers arrested him and turned the case over to the District Attorney’s Office. Eventually, the U.S. Attorney’s Office joined the investigation and then decided prosecute Johnsen in federal court, authorities said.
During Johnsen’s court appearance Thursday, he was ordered to stay away from Main Beach, then released $25,000 bond, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He returns to court Feb. 21.
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8 responses so far ↓
Park Ranger // Jan 10, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Can we please get a stay-a-way order to keep Billy Johnsen off Seabright State Beach too?
Shocked // Jan 11, 2008 at 12:47 pm
WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY???
Shocked // Jan 11, 2008 at 12:48 pm
not why keep him off the beach, why, WHY would ANY ONE do that ?
cop killer // Jan 11, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Rangers are a$$h@le$, but the Johnsens are worse.
2 Girls 1 Cup // Jan 13, 2008 at 12:31 am
The Habor Seal moms and their pups were trying to haul out at the river mouth. We saw Billy Johnsen wailing on the baby seals with his skim board. He really let them have it.
Joser // Jan 13, 2008 at 1:11 pm
this is an unusual crime
Crazy Billy // Jan 15, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Someone like that should be castrated and left to die out at sea.
Lucas // Jan 15, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Why was he given bail? He obviously has a mental condition that endangers the community.
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