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Togiak Man Arrested on Assault, Bootlegging Charges

DILLINGHAM: A Togiak man has been arrested and charged with domestic violence assault and two charges of bootlegging alcohol in a dry village.

A state trooper and a village police officer arrested Frederick Antone, 36, on Monday around noon. He was apparently very cooperative with the authorities. Not only did he agree to answer any questions they had, but he also suggested they take a look upstairs where he assured them they would find a batch of moonshine.

"I know why you guys are here," Antone said, according to Trooper Ethan Norwood's report. "Do you smell that smell? They say when it smells like that it is done. It is now finished."

Trooper Norwood and VPO Andrew did indeed find a 24-quart pressure cooker full of distilled spirits. Antone said it was his fourth batch of moonshine, and that he had wanted to get out of the business but had been pressured by family to continue.

His wife told authorities that Antone had become unexpectedly angry while drinking the night before and had hit her several times in the arms while she covered her face.

Antone was booked at the Dillingham jail and arraigned on three felony charges Tuesday. He asked the magistrate if there was any way he could serve his time but still fish this summer. Magistrate Reigh said that was not up to her to decide, and set bail at $1500 with a third party custodian.