A Southbury man and two other Connecticut residents have pleaded guilty to the scuttling of several sailboats and motor boats in Long Island Sound. 71-year old John Magness, 70-year old Peter Albrecht of Norwalk and 60-year old Carlos Santos of Westbrook pleaded guilty to a federal charge obstruction of navigable waters by sinking a vessel.
Magness owned Bluefish Cove Marina in Bridgeport, and while preparing to sell the property in 2018, he and Albrecht, an employee, engaged Santos to sink several abandoned vessels without a permit. Magness agreed to forgive Santos’ unpaid dockage fees in exchange for his help. At least 5 were scuttled between the Black Rock Harbor and the Pennfield Reef Lighthouse from October 2018 and April 2019.
The charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of one year and a fine of up to $100,000. They are released pending sentencing.