Jessie Arnariak, the second defendant in the case involving taking Walrus from Round island, plead guilty on Thursday, bringing to a close the state's case involving the incident.

The guilty plea stems from an incident taking place on Round Island, a walrus sanctuary located in northern Bristol Bay on May 9th of 2011. Wildlife troopers were notified on that date that two men were observed approaching the federally protected island in a skiff. When in range, the two men opened fire on a group of walrus on the island. They killed one and seriously wounded three others. After killing the one sea mammal, Arkanakyak and Arnariak proceeded to remove the tusks from the animal. They left the rest of the walrus behind. The skiff, with the two men was then seen travelling toward Togiak, a short distance from the island, on the shores of Bristol Bay.

Alaska Wildlife troopers departed by aircraft to the community of Togiak, there they met the two men as they made landfall at the community. It was then that the men were positively identified as Jessie Y. Arnariak, age 47, and Sixty M Arkanakyak, age 47, both of Togiak.

The men both appeared to be intoxicated, Arnariak, the driver of the skiff was arrested for operating a water craft under the influence. He resisted arrest. During the struggle, a bottle of alcohol fell from his coat. Arnariak was later transported to Dillingham and remanded there on charges of DUI, Resisting Arrest, Importation of Alcohol,Violations of the Walrus Islands State Sanctuary X3, and wanton waste.

Three days later Alaska Wildlife officers were able to make it to Round Island to interview the witnesses there. Subsequently, Sixty M. Arkanakyak was located in Togiak and served citations for Alcohol Importation, Violation of 5AAC 92.066, Wanton Waste, and misconduct involving a weapon. He appeared in Dillingham Court on May 17th.

Prior to the guilty plea of Arnariak, Sixty Arkanakyak, was sentenced in October on charges Imporation X3, Discharge of a Weapon in a Game Sanxtuary, and Misconduct Involving a Weapon. He received 410 days in jail with 240 suspended, 170 days to serve. and a $3,000 fine and forfeiture.

On his charges, Arnariak received a sentence of 610 days with 340 suspended with 270 to serve, a $7,500 fine and forfeiture of all items seized. He is also resposible for adhering to all other requirements involving the DUI charge.

Although the state case is now complete, both Arnariak and Arkanakyak may face federal charges as the investigation on the part of the Federal Government is not yet complete.