by Craig Welch
The trouble came to light on May 15, 1991: OSHA records of Howard’s death have been destroyed, but accounts of it could be found in: Bill Beebe, “Battle Rages over Collector Fish,” Daily Breeze, June 4, 1992; and Ronald B. Taylor, “Aquarium Fish Trade Comes under Attack,” Los Angeles Times, June 21, 1992. Suzanne Kohin, interview with author. Also: Colette Wabnitz, Michelle Taylor, Edmund Green, and Tries Razak, “From ocean to aquarium: A global trade in marine ornamental species,” UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, 2003.
special agent Roy Torres heard from a colleague in Miami: Roy Torres, interview with author. Maureen Bessette, interview with author. Entire investigative file, Leopard Shark Case (SW040119), and court file, USA vs. Thompson (06-CR-00051), including: narrative reports of Torres’s investigation, audio recordings and transcripts of witness interviews, copies of a sermon by Kevin Thompson. All quotes and conversations are verbatim from audio recordings. Information also came from: Lisa Nichols, interview; Rebecca Hartman, interview.
The Reverend Sun Myung Moon: Moon has several sermons dedicated to the sea, and he published them as a book, God’s Will and the Ocean, published by the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity, 1987. I quoted from “The Way of the Tuna,” which he gave July 13, 1980. To understand his move into fisheries, I read: Edward Quill, “Unification Church Blesses Its Own Fleet,” Boston Globe, July 2, 1981; Todd Heath, “Unification Church in Quiet but Edgy Coexistence with Old Fishing Town,” Associated Press, July 1, 1983; Carolyn Lumsden, “Moonies Win Grudging Acceptance from Wary Gloucester Fishermen,” Hartford Courant, May 18, 1986. For more information see: Monica Eng, Delroy Alexander, and David Jackson, “Sushi and Rev. Moon,” Chicago Tribune, April 11, 2006.
Even to an eighteen-year-old, it seemed obvious: Quotes in this section are from interviews with suspects conducted by Torres.
Because scientists still don’t fully understand the ocean: Greg Cailliet, Vincent Gallucci, Christopher Lowe, interviews with author.
CHAPTER TEN: CRAB MEN
Geoduck enforcement improved marginally: There were several stories and editorials in the Tacoma newspaper, the News Tribune. One of the earliest reports appeared in the Central Kitsap Reporter on April 4, 2000.
They could have used more cameras elsewhere: Jarmon, interview; Jarmon first heard about the “mystery boat” on June 18, 2000, according to his notes. Bob Mottram, “Mystery Crabbing Boat Draws Concern for South Puget Sound,” News Tribune, June 25, 2000.
Detective Bill Jarmon’s mind was elsewhere: I met Jarmon in his living room in 2003, and he walked me through the morning. Then I climbed into his Ford Expedition and he drove with me the route he had followed that morning. I carried with me Jarmon’s narrative report, from June 28, 2000. I have a photocopy of the citation Jarmon wrote Tobin in 1975.
The detectives had not paid much attention to Tobin: Tobin’s role in pointing out Hodgson appears in: Paul Buerger, memo to intelligence file, October 19, 1999; Pudwill, surveillance detail, October 20, 1999; and Harrington, affadavit for search warrant, undated. Buerger and Harrington would present a case to prosecutors in 2002, but Hodgson would ultimately be aquitted on all charges.
Squaxin Island stretches like a knife handle: Rory Gilliland, interview with author. Gilliland, field investigation report, Squaxin Island Tribal Enforcement, June 15, 2000; a report of violation, Squaxin Island Police, June 20, 2000; and a supplementary report, June 25, 2000.
Ed Volz growled at the news: Volz, Charles Amner, and Jarmon, interviews; Harrington, undated search warrant affadavit in Hodgson case; Jarmon, suspect-contact report, October 17, 2000. All quotes from Li and Tobin are taken directly from law-enforcement documents, where they were recorded as direct quotes.
By early spring 2001, word had filtered back: Volz, Jarmon, Harrington, interviews. Jarmon, report of surveillance, March 8–9, 2001; Pudwill, report of surveillance, March 13–14, 2001.
Their first significant break came with: Volz, interview. Harrington, report of interviews with Mark Purdue and Heidi Mills, April 24, 2001. Mills, interview with author, 2003.
Frustration mounted that summer: Volz, report of information from informant, June 21, 2001; Volz, report of information from informant, June 25, 2001; Jarmon, report of contact with Keith Smith, August 24, 2001; Jarmon, summary of interviews with Keith Smith, Ocober 18, 2001.
The magnitude of what Tobin had done sunk in slowly: Jerry McCourt, interview with author. Copies of McCourt’s notes to Jarmon. Reports of surveillance by Ed Volz, Bill Jarmon, and Charlie Pudwill, on October 25, October 30, November 6, and November 8.
CHAPTER ELEVEN: THE HUNT, REDUX
From a pea-gravel beach a few minutes later: See notes from prologue. Also, interview with Don Rothaus; Rothaus and Michael Ulrich, report of investigation of geoduck tract nos. 12300 and 12350, November 13, 2001. Pudwill, interview. Pudwill, report of surveillance, November 14, 2001.
The detectives regrouped: In 2008, I watched the video Pudwill shot of Tobin at his plant. Jarmon, Volz, Harrington, Pudwill, interviews. Jarmon, report of surveillance, June 18–19, 2001; Jarmon, report of surveillance, June 20–21, 2001; Pudwill, report of surveillance, June 20, 2001.
A few days later Tobin paged Kevin: Harrington, interview. Harrington, memo to prosecutor about conversation with Tobin, November 28, 2001. Volz, supplemental report, call from Tobin, December 3, 2001. Quotes here are as Volz recalled them.
In January…Tobin was still calling: The call from Mark Purdue was recorded and transcribed and quotes presented here are verbatim. Harrington, supplemental report, call from Tobin, February 11–12, 2002.
Tobin could not have known: Volz, report of conversation with Matt Donovick, January 8, 2002; February 18, 2002. Harrington, report of interview with Donovick, February 19, 2002; February 21, 2002. Volz, call from Donovick, March 1, 2002. Jarmon, report of contacts with Heidi Mills, March 10, 13–14, 2001.
Early in March, Adrian Lugo: Lugo, interview with author.
On March 13, 2002, Tobin called Harrington: Harrington, Jarmon, interviews. Harrington, supplemental report, call from Tobin, March 13, 2002.
CHAPTER TWELVE: THE WHOLE WEST COAST
Between Doug Tobin’s calls and information gleaned: Jarmon, report of contact with Heidi Mills, March 17, 2002. Jarmon, Volz, interviews.
At 6:30 A.M., police and detectives moved: Fife Police Department, supplemental narrative, March 18, 2002; Dan Chadwick, officers report to prosecutor, March 18, 2002; T. Jackson, supplemental report, March 18, 2002; Jarmon, incident report, “Operation Typhoon,” arrest warrant execution, March 18, 2002; Dreher, report of investigation, March 18, 2002; Pudwill, search warrant service, memo to prosecutor, March 18, 2002. Video of search at Tobin’s plant. Details about Tobin’s arrest, including Volz holding the phone to call Tobin’s lawyer, are included in the reports.
The wildlife cops eventually arrested: William Omaits, forensic accountant, affadavit, February 13, 2004; Bob Sizemore, affadavit, February 11, 2004; Wayne Palsson, affadavit, January 30, 2004; State vs. Tobin (02-1-01236-3), entire case file.
Tobin waited month after month in jail: Quotes direct from transcript of recorded telephone call between Tobin and aging poacher.
In court, Doug Tobin crumpled into his seat: I was in court to witness this scene. I saw Volz twirling his toothpick while talking with Tobin’s attorney. The last quote from Volz was said to me, standing outside the courtroom.
A month after Doug Tobin began his incarceration: This meeting was videotaped, and this scene is taken from a copy of that tape.
Eight months later, authorities hauled Tobin: From entire court file, State vs. Doug Tobin (04-1-04236-6). Jarmon, Volz, interviews. Fire marshal, report of investigation. Also from the lawsuit filed against the Laurie Ann’s owner, Pierce County vs. Washington Shellfish, Inc. and Douglas McRae (02-2-08561-5).
Detective Volz wanted The Typhoon: Klohe, interview with author; Joe Panesko, interview with author; quotes from A
lbulet are from first of two short author interviews. Also see: State of Washington vs. Albulet and Ng (05-2-254-6), which includes affadavits from several geoduck divers; a sixteen-page single-spaced memorandum of interview with Doug Tobin by Karolyn R. Klohe, assistant attorney general, June 15, 2005; transcripts of attorney general interviews with several additional members of Tobin’s crew. The framed check hangs in Panesko’s office.
SOME OF THOSE INTERVIEWED FOR THIS PROJECT INCLUDE:
State wildlife cops
Ed Volz, detective, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Bill Jarmon, detective, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Kevin Harrington, detective, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Paul Buerger, detective, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Charlie Pudwill, detective, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Ron Peregrin, undersheriff, Clallam County, former WDFW detective
Nancy Foley, chief of law enforcement, California Fish and Game
Kathy Ponting, special operations, California Fish and Game
Troy Bruce, special operations, California Fish and Game
Rebecca Hartman, enforcement officer, California Fish and Game
Federal agents
Andy Cohen, special agent, NOAA
Al Samuels, special agent, NOAA
Richard Severtson, special agent, NOAA
Roy Torres, special agent, NOAA
Charles Tyer, special agent, NOAA
Wayne Lewis, special agent in charge (retired), NOAA, Seattle
Michelle Zetwo, special agent, NOAA
Ed Newcomer, special agent, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Sam Jojola, special agent (retired), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Lisa Nichols, special agent, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
John Gavitt, special agent (retired), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Ernest Mayer, special agent (retired), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Jerry Smith, special agent (retired), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
John Brooks, special agent (retired), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Erin Dean, agent in charge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Los Angeles
Skip Wissinger, special agent (retired), U.S. Park Service
Biologists
Don Rothaus, shellfish biologist, dive team, WDFW
Brent Vadopalas, shellfish biologist, University of Washington
Alex Bradbury, shellfish biologist, WDFW
Lobo Orensanz, shellfish biologist, University of Washington
Daniel Pauly, fisheries biologist, University of British Columbia
Jennifer Jacquet, fisheries biologist, University of British Columbia
Are Strom, shellfish biologist, WDFW
Juan Valero, shellfish biologist, University of Washington
Tim Essington, fisheries biologist, University of Washington
Wayne Palsson, fisheries biologist, WDFW
Bob Sizemore, shellfish biologist, WDFW
C. Lynn Goodwin, shellfish biologist (retired), WDFW
Suzanne Kohin, shark biologist, National Marine Fisheries Service
Vincent Gallucci, ocean and fisheries sciences, University of Washington
Jorge Morales Guiza, fisheries biologist, Baja, Mexico
Glenn VanBlaricom, University of Washington
Pat Gearin, marine mammal biologist, NOAA
Gregor Cailliet, Moss Landing Marine Labs
Chris Lowe, Shark Lab, California State University at Long Beach
Trey Knott, forensic biologist, NOAA Laboratory, Charleston, South Carolina
M. Katherine Moore, biologist, NOAA Research Lab, Charleston
Lara Adams, forensic biologist, NOAA Laboratory, Charleston
Geoduck divers
Gene Canfield, geoduck diver
Casey Bakker, shellfish buyer, diver
Don Webster, geoduck diver, Hodgson’s first partner
Carl Sheats, diver, son of Robert Sheats
Mark Mikkelsen, geoduck diver
Steve Sigo, geoduck diver, Squaxin Island Tribe
Craig Parker, geoduck diver
Connie Whitener, geoduck diver
Heidi Mills, geoduck diver
Others preferred to remain unnamed
Attorneys
Micki Brunner, assistant U.S. attorney, Seattle
Maureen Bessette, assistant U.S attorney, Oakland
Joseph Johns, assistant U.S. attorney, Los Angeles
Karolyn Klohe, (former) assistant attorney general, State of Washington
Joe Panesko, assistant attorney general, State of Washington
Marilyn Brenneman, chief, fraud division, King County Prosecutor’s Office
Tom Moore, Pierce County deputy prosecutor
Seafood experts
Claude Tchao, CEO Tri-Star Seafood, Vancouver, B.C.
Bob Donegan, president, Ivar’s
Quentin Fong, seafood marketing specialist, University of Alaska
Noritoshi Kanai, president, Mutual Trading Company
Seicho Fujikawa, Mutual Trading
Tom Douglas, chef
Charles Ramseyer, chef
Jon Rowley, seafood marketer
Shiro Kashiba, sushi chef
Harry Yoshimura, Mutual Fish Company
Mark Wen, seafood aficionado
Tony Wong, geoduck broker, Vancouver
Others
Doug Tobin
Martin Cetron, global migration and quarantine, Centers for Disease Control
Craig Hoover, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Crawford Allan, North American director, TRAFFIC
Paul Watson, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
Michael Muehlbauer, wildlife inspector, USFWS
Adrian Lugo, contractor
Thomas Dades, detective (retired), New York Police Department
Nancy Lyles, friend of Tobin’s
Jim Peters, Squaxin Island Tribe
Gigi Hogan, whose family once owned Pearls by the Sea Dennis Lucia, diving instructor
Paul Dorpat, biographer, Ivar Haglund
Dave Hearn, geoduck broker
Todd Palzer, geoduck chief, Department of Natural Resources
Rory Gilliland, former chief, Squaxin Island Tribe
Charles Amner, manager, Mitzels in Fife
Jeffrey Albulet, former executive, Clearbay Fisheries
Roy Ewen, geoduck digger
Jerry McCourt, English instructor
James Bartels, friend of DeCourville and Rick Jones
Edward Binder, artist and Tobin acquaintance
Jerry Elfendahl, coauthor, “The Gooey Duck Song”
Duane Pasco, artist
Linda Gentille, ex-wife, Nichols DeCourville
Darin Carroll, Centers for Disease Control
Jennifer McQuiston, Centers for Disease Control
Acknowledgments
When I set out to write this book I didn’t know just how much I would be asking of others—nor how gracious and helpful so many people would be. I am grateful to the editors at the Seattle Times. They gave me the time to research and write when such a request was asking a lot and never expressed anything but support. They are a spectacular bunch of people. Laura Helmuth and Sarah Zielinski at Smithsonian magazine embraced an early version of the geoduck story and shared my sense of wonder about these unusual clams.
Friend and photographer Tom Reese climbed down from his ladder in the middle of a work day and dug through his Puget Sound archives to find the perfect cover photo. Friend and artist Whitney Stensrud turned my harebrained ideas for illustrating the book into something truly exceptional: Only Whitbob could make geoducks and sturgeon look not just tasteful but classy.
This story would not have seen print if not for my agent, Wendy Strothman. Wendy believed in this idea from the start, and never wavered in her support for it or me. I am incredibly lucky to have found her. Marjorie Braman is the kind o
f editor every writer seeks. With a simple e-mail nudge or phone call she reminded me what a difference an editor’s enthusiasm can make. When Marjorie changed jobs, Henry Ferris at William Morrow stepped in and offered smart suggestions at crucial moments that helped reshape the manuscript and bring it in for a landing—even though his own plate was already plenty full. His talented assistant, Danny Goldstein, carefully reviewed every page and offered wise, creative counsel.
I also must thank a handful of great lawyers. Tom Ward at HarperCollins, and Noelle Kvasnosky and Bruce Johnson at Davis Wright Tremaine helped me out with legal issues and made the process pleasant.
I am fortunate to know many fabulous writers and readers, and I benefited greatly from their willingness to share their talent and insight. For early reads and suggestions on chapters, I thank Ross Anderson, Ken Armstrong, Hal Bernton, Alex Bradbury, Chris Cousins, Sarah Flynn, Deb Gruver, Kristi Heim, Ian Ith, Ian Johnson, Lewis Kamb, Mark Kramer, Jim Langston, Lynda Mapes, Jonathan Martin, Maureen O’Hagan, Dan Niemi, Nick Perry, Casey Seiler, Chris Solomon, Eric Sorensen, and Brent Vadopalas. A handful of friends went far beyond what I had any right to ask. Grace Hobson, Jim Lynch, Brent Shepherd, and John Zebrowski burrowed deep into multiple drafts, talked me through trouble spots again and again, and always sent me back to the keyboard grateful and enthusiastic. Jerry Holloron, copy editor extraordinaire, gave the final manuscript the kind of attention that only he could and did it graciously and on deadline. I owe much to James Scott, who not only read and edited several versions of the manuscript, but also managed with every phone call—and there were dozens—to help me see just what I needed to do next.
The support from friends and family, though less tangible, was equally important. Barb, Bob, Lisa, and Wanda never lost faith and found endless ways large and small to be of help. Their confidence was so consistent and sincere that I was able to draw upon it when my own ran low.
But mostly I am thankful to my wife, Jennifer. She edited every draft, held life together while I stared at the keyboard, and managed it all with her usual warmth and quiet grace. And deep into the endless reporting trips and phone calls and hours of rewriting—when she was busy managing our most important project—she was still willing to gamble on me and my ideas. There is no greater gift.