U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
District of Hawaii

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 5, 2009

INDICTMENT CHARGES KAUAI MAN IN CONNECTION WITH MONK SEAL DEATH

HONOLULU, HAWAII – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today in United States District Court charging Charles Vidinha, 78, a Kauai resident, with the recent killing of a Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) in violation of the Endangered Species Act.

Ed Kubo, United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii, said the indictment alleges that the offense occurred on May 21, 2009. According to court documents, the deceased monk seal, which had been shot, was recovered at Pila'a Beach, which is a remote beach on Kauai's north shore. If convicted, Vidinha faces maximum penalties of one year imprisonment and a fine of $50,000. Charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case resulted from an investigation conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, assisted by the Kauai Police Department; the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Marshall H. Silverberg.