A Maui resident, Jeffrey Worthen, has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of wire fraud and making a false statement to the U.S. Coast Guard. The plea was announced by United States Attorney Ken Sorenson. Sentencing is scheduled for June 15, 2026.
Court documents show that since at least 2012, Worthen falsely claimed to employers that he possessed a valid Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) from the United States Coast Guard. In 2021, he provided this fraudulent credential to his employer while working as an operator of a small passenger vessel transporting people on snorkeling trips near Lanai, Hawaii.
On June 14, 2022, during one such excursion, Worthen operated a vessel that hit a rock. The collision caused five passengers to be thrown overboard and resulted in multiple injuries. When questioned about the incident by the Coast Guard, Worthen falsely asserted that he held a valid MMC.
Worthen could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for wire fraud. He also faces up to three years of supervised release for this charge. For making a false statement, he could receive up to five years in prison, another $250,000 fine, and up to three more years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Coast Guard Investigative Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Albanese.
"United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Jeffrey Worthen, 61, of Lahaina, Maui, pled guilty today in federal court to wire fraud and making a false statement to the U.S. Coast Guard. Sentencing is set for June 15, 2026."
