The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana:
(NEW ORLEANS) — TERRY CARVER, age 40, resident of Glasford, Illinois, plead guilty today in federal court before U.S. District Judge Helen G. Berrigan to creating a hazardous condition on board the M/V Mel Oliver in violation of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to the factual basis, CARVER at approximately 7:00 P.M. on July 20, 2008, CARVER removed himself from the M/V Mel Oliver to travel to Illinois for personal reasons leaving the M/V Mel Oliver under the direction and control of an underlicensed employee. There were no other properly licensed employees to operate the Mel Oliver at the time CARVER left the Mel Oliver.
CARVER faces a possible maximum sentence of six (6) years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. Sentencing has been scheduled for April 13, 2011.
This case was investigated by the U. S. Coast Guard Criminal Investigative Service and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dorothy Manning Taylor and Matthew Chester.