A St. Clair County resident, Mel Stackpoole, has pleaded guilty to a felony charge involving the falsification of records related to maritime training courses. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr., who was joined by Captain Richard Armstrong, Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Detroit, and Special Agent in Charge Josh Packer from the Coast Guard Investigative Service’s Central Field Office in Detroit.
Stackpoole, 62, admitted guilt before United States District Judge Terrence G. Berg to one count of knowingly altering and falsifying documents with the intent to obstruct the administration of matters within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Court documents show that Stackpoole owned and led Great Lakes Charter Training, a school providing Coast Guard-approved courses for merchant mariner credentials (MMC). In August 2020, he gave students enrolled in his Master 100 Ton Captain’s Course less than 50 hours of instruction instead of the required 80 hours. He also told students to give false information about their sea service history, medical background, and drug use on MMC applications submitted to the Coast Guard. Additionally, Stackpoole provided answers to some exam questions, altered incorrect test responses to correct ones, and raised students’ scores so they would pass rather than fail. He then issued course completion certificates that falsely indicated successful course completion.
“Mel Stackpoole has endangered the safety of everyone who uses the waterways of our Great Lakes by deliberately circumnavigating the Coast Guard’s training and certification protocols and facilitating the issuance of credentials to unskilled and unqualified mariners.” U.S. Attorney Gorgon said.
“Integrity is the cornerstone of our maritime profession. When that trust is broken, it jeopardizes individual careers and the safety and security of our waterways. The U.S. Coast Guard stands firm in ensuring that those who choose to deceive or falsify their merchant mariner credential, or those who subvert the credentialing process, will be held accountable” said Captain Richard Armstrong, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Detroit.
“As the leading maritime investigative agency, CGIS plays a vital role in investigating complex fraudulent schemes perpetrated against the U.S. Coast Guard and the public. This plea represents our investigative commitment to the maritime community in ensuring CGIS pursues those that would seek to take advantage of programs designed to enhance maritime safety,” said Special Agent in Charge Packer.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 18, 2025 at 2 p.m., where Stackpoole could face up to 20 years in prison as well as a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by both U.S. Coast Guard personnel and members of its Investigative Service unit; prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy J. Wyse along with Special Assistant United States Attorney Corinne M. Lambert.
