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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Man Charged With Threatening Federal Witness

SAN DIEGO (CN) - A 54-year-old La Jolla man has been charged with threatening a federal witness: a member of the Animal Protection and Rescue League who reported that two men had harassed harbor seals at La Jolla Children's pool last September. Kent Douglas Trego allegedly sent the Rescue League an email that stated: "... motorcycle club members have been contacted about [the witness] and she will be dealt with very harshly, if not killed."

Two divers who allegedly harassed the resting seals were charged with violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act. One was served on Dec. 31, 2007 and one on Jan. 11, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

On Jan. 12, the Animal Protection and Rescue League received an email from "Biker Bobbie" using the email account [email protected], prosecutors said. This was the message, the U.S. Attorney's Office said: "Two divers who used the Children's Pool in September have been cited by federal wildlife marshalls (sic) for disturbing the seals. [Witness' name] was apparently the one who turned them in. The problem now is that revenge will be taken out on [the witness]. Many of the local divers have close friend in the California motorcycle clubs. As is this case (sic), motorcycle club members have been contacted about [the witness] and she will be dealt with very harshly, if not killed."

The Animal Protection and Rescue League reported the threat to law enforcement officials.

Trego is scheduled for a detention hearing on Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Louisa Porter. He is charged with one count of threatening a federal witness, which is punishable by 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; and two counts of transmitting threats in interstate commerce, punishable by 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count.

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