San Diegan Charged with Sending False Maydays
January 31, 2012
Byline: Associated Press
SAN DIEGO (AP) — A San Diego man has been charged with sending false distress signals to the Coast Guard.
A federal indictment unsealed Jan. 25 charges that 47-year-old Sean M. Berry broadcast false mayday signals four times since 2007. Each time, he allegedly claimed that his boat, Timberwolf, was taking on water.
A statement by U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy said phony distress calls can endanger search crews that answer them, and distract rescuers from responding to real emergencies.
Berry was arrested on Jan. 23 and held on $25,000 bail. He faces up to six years in prison on each felony count, if convicted.
