Alexandra Gutierrez, KUCB – Unalaska
A crew member on the fishing vessel Frontier Explorer has been charged with sexual harassment and sexual assault of a National Marine Fisheries Service observer.
Victor Chavez-Ramirez, 28, was arrested on Thursday in Unalaska by NOAA special agents, and his arraignment took place on Monday. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Skrock alleged that Chavez-Ramirez verbally harassed and groped a NMFS observer while aboard the vessel Frontier Spirit from August to October 2008.The harassment and assault also impeded the NMFS observer’s ability to monitor bycatch and collect data – another criminal offense for which Chavez-Ramirez is being charged.
Skrocki says that while the harassment and assault were alleged to have taken place two years ago, the observer approached law enforcement only recently.
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