Alabama Man Pleads Guilty of Conspiracy, False Distress Signals, and False Statements

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SETH EMDE ("SETH"), age 23, resident of Randolph County, Alabama, pleaded guilty on June 10, 2026, to conspiracy to commit a federal offense against or defraud the United States or an agency thereof, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371; and communication of a false distress message to the United States Coast Guard, in violation of Title 24, United States Code, Section 521(c) announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle.

According to court documents, Melvin Emde, the father of SETH EMDE, attempted to evade prosecution in North Carolina, where he had been charged with a sex crime. Facing that pending case, Melvin Emde and SETH EMDE devised a plan to stage Melvin Emde's death to avoid further legal proceedings. On August 7, 2023, the two men created a false report claiming that Melvin Emde had fallen into the Mississippi River during a fishing trip. SETH EMDE placed a 911 call asserting that his father had gone overboard, prompting a significant response by the United States Coast Guard. Subsequent investigation revealed that the distress report was fabricated and that both Melvin Emde and SETH EMDE knowingly provided false information as part of the scheme to help Melvin Emde avoid prosecution.

At sentencing, which is set for September 16, 2026, SETH faces a maximum penalty of five years of imprisonment for the conspiracy count and a maximum penalty of ten years of imprisonment for communicating a false distress signal. Each offense also carries a potential supervised release term of up to three years and a fine of up to $250,000, along with a mandatory special assessment.

United States Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the United States Coast Guard - Investigative Service in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis of the General Crimes Unit oversees the prosecution.

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