Fairbanks man arrested for DUI and weapons charges at Kasilof Beach

A tip about a black pickup driving over seagulls at Kasilof Beach led to the Monday night arrest of a Fairbanks man on DUI and weapons charges, plus a federal wildlife citation.

Alaska State Troopers received the REDDI report at about 10:15 p.m. on July 13. Troopers found the vehicle and determined the occupants appeared intoxicated. "Investigation revealed that Jerome Sinnok, 37 of Fairbanks, was driving while under the influence and a search incident to arrest revealed a loaded handgun in the center console," troopers reported. Sinnok was charged with DUI and Misconduct Involving Weapons in the 4th degree and remanded to Wildwood Pretrial Facility near Kenai.

A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officer separately cited Sinnok for a deceased seagull under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which protects most native gull species in Alaska. Federal wildlife officers can also pursue criminal cases for violations of the act.

The incident took place at Kasilof Beach, accessible through Kasilof River State Recreation Site, a public fishing and recreation area at the mouth of the Kasilof River on the Kenai Peninsula. All charges are accusations. Sinnok is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.