Maine man faces up to 6 years in prison for Coast Guard hoax

PORTLAND, Maine — A 23-year-old Vinalhaven Island man faces up to six years in federal prison after pleading guilty to making a false distress message to the Coast Guard.

Owen Adair pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court on Wednesday. Court records say he initiated a two-way radio conversation with a radio operator at the Coast Guard Sector Northern New England. He repeatedly told the operator he urgently needed assistance because a crewman on his fishing vessel was seriously injured.

Prosecutors say Adair was actually ashore on Vinalhaven Island using a radio in his truck. The Coast Guard conducted a four-hour search and abandoned its efforts, concluding the distress call was a hoax.

Adair also faces a fine of up to $250,000 and three years of supervised release.

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