A New Jersey State Superior Court judge found him not guilty of trespassing last week, reversing the conviction he received from Sayreville Municipal Court. The judge found Dolitsky guilty of violating an ordinance and fined him $400.
Dolitsky celebrated the verdict in a YouTube video.
"This appeal was a huge victory for us, I am so happy, even though it was a huge financial burden," Dolitsky, who requested donations from users, said. "The entire ordeal was very expensive to fight."
Trouble for Dolitsky began when he filmed himself in November 2024, visiting Viking Terminal on the South River and exploring the yacht, believed to be built in 1957. In the video, he even notes that he got permission from the South River Boat Club to launch his kayak into the water from their property.
"The yacht is thought to have been loved and enjoyed for many years, but somehow ended up abandoned in the mudflats of the river," Dolitsky said. "While it is currently dilapidated, elements of its former glory are apparent. I'm not quite sure how it ended up here, but exploring it was a unique experience and getting to it was a challenging adventure."
After the video racked up views, Kersten Kortbawi, who owns the property, filed a trespassing complaint with the borough. Sayreville prosecutors argue Dolitsky didn't see the No Trespassing signs because he didn't want to see them, which Judge Spencer Robbins agreed with, noting the property was fenced and gated.
But the judge ruled the faded No Trespassing sign was not adequate notice, NJ.com reported.
To view the NJ.com story, click here.
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