NACOGDOCHES COUNTY, Texas — Bassmaster Elite Pro and YouTube angler Benjamin Milliken is accused of fraudulently participating in a fishing tournament.
According to a Texas Parks and Wildlife statement, Miliken, 35, of New Caney, turned himself into the Nacogdoches County Jail in Dec. 12 after a warrant for fraud in a fishing tournament was issued in connection with a February incident.
TPWD said he caught a Legacy Class ShareLunker (largemouth bass 13 pounds or larger) at Lake Naconiche in Nacogdoches County and he formally submitted the bass as an entry into the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Toyota ShareLunker Program.
After an investigation before giving out prizes, officials learned Milliken did not have a valid fishing license when he caught the fish and he knowingly falsified the entry form.
Along with the criminal charge, he was disqualified from the Toyota ShareLunker Program and cited for fishing without a valid license, the TPWD said.
Those who are participate in Toyota ShareLunker Program can receive prizes up that exceed $10,000.
In his Bassmaster profile, he has been in 19 tournaments and earned over $181,000 in prize money.
On his Instagram, Miliken claimed the accusations against him are a "complete misunderstanding and unrelated to any elite series or local fishing tournament" that he's participated in. He said that the incident happened when he was fishing recreationally.
"I very much look forward to creating a video(s) explaining the entire situation. But due to (an) ongoing investigation, it's best I wait," Miliken said.
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