Here comes the Judge!

[James in Idaho]

Not a good idea in Idaho anymore!!!


Deer Poacher Loses Hunting Privileges for Life
Poaching deer has cost a Pocatello man his hunting and fishing privileges for life, a month and a half in jail and more than $21,000 in fines.
In the fall of 2007, Russell D. Mee, 53, killed at least three deer in Arbon Valley and dumped two deer near his property when he suspected he was being investigated by Idaho Fish and Game.
Charges were filed by the Power County prosecuting attorney in American Falls. And on September 11, District Court Judge Peter McDermott sentenced Mee in connection with the illegal killing and wasting of deer.
“Our state wildlife forensic laboratory, headed by Dr. Karen Rudolph, was critical in this case, because it was able to show through DNA analysis that the only person who could have committed this crime was Russell Mee,” Idaho Fish and Game Conservation Officer Scott Wright said. “Mee was in no hurry to confess to anything, and without this evidence he would have probably gotten away with it.”
McDermott told Mee in court that the facts in this case showed that he was a poacher, and his days in the mountains were over. He sentenced Mee to 10 years in state prison, suspended barring any violation of his probation.
During the 10 years probation, Mee may not accompany anyone engaged in hunting, fishing or trapping, and he may not have in his possession any wild animal or wild animal parts. Any violation of this probation will result in Mee being ordered to serve his 10-year prison sentence.
In addition, Mee was ordered to pay $21,450 in fines and restitution to the state, the majority of which will go to pay for the cost of the DNA testing. Mee’s hunting, fishing and trapping privileges were suspended for life, and he was sentenced to 45 days in the Power County jail.
“I think this sentence sends a message to would-be poachers; if you choose to steal animals from the people of the state of Idaho and are caught, it could have a significant negative impact on the rest of your life,” Wright said.
This case was possible only because a concerned citizen with information about the crime became involved and called Idaho Fish and Game. Citizens Against Poaching paid this confidential informant a cash reward.
Anyone with information on any wildlife crime is encouraged to call CAP at 1-800-632-5999. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.

[ehunter]

That is great wish they get tough in Oregon

Originally Posted by James in Idaho

Not a good idea in Idaho anymore!!!


Deer Poacher Loses Hunting Privileges for Life
Poaching deer has cost a Pocatello man his hunting and fishing privileges for life, a month and a half in jail and more than $21,000 in fines.
In the fall of 2007, Russell D. Mee, 53, killed at least three deer in Arbon Valley and dumped two deer near his property when he suspected he was being investigated by Idaho Fish and Game.
Charges were filed by the Power County prosecuting attorney in American Falls. And on September 11, District Court Judge Peter McDermott sentenced Mee in connection with the illegal killing and wasting of deer.
“Our state wildlife forensic laboratory, headed by Dr. Karen Rudolph, was critical in this case, because it was able to show through DNA analysis that the only person who could have committed this crime was Russell Mee,” Idaho Fish and Game Conservation Officer Scott Wright said. “Mee was in no hurry to confess to anything, and without this evidence he would have probably gotten away with it.”
McDermott told Mee in court that the facts in this case showed that he was a poacher, and his days in the mountains were over. He sentenced Mee to 10 years in state prison, suspended barring any violation of his probation.
During the 10 years probation, Mee may not accompany anyone engaged in hunting, fishing or trapping, and he may not have in his possession any wild animal or wild animal parts. Any violation of this probation will result in Mee being ordered to serve his 10-year prison sentence.
In addition, Mee was ordered to pay $21,450 in fines and restitution to the state, the majority of which will go to pay for the cost of the DNA testing. Mee’s hunting, fishing and trapping privileges were suspended for life, and he was sentenced to 45 days in the Power County jail.
“I think this sentence sends a message to would-be poachers; if you choose to steal animals from the people of the state of Idaho and are caught, it could have a significant negative impact on the rest of your life,” Wright said.
This case was possible only because a concerned citizen with information about the crime became involved and called Idaho Fish and Game. Citizens Against Poaching paid this confidential informant a cash reward.
Anyone with information on any wildlife crime is encouraged to call CAP at 1-800-632-5999. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.

[eharris]

That will definitely make you think twice about poaching, ouch!

Evan

[jokester]

FINALLY!!!!

OREGON JUDGES: TAKE NOTE!!!

-jokester

[scottishsetter]

That sentence won't affect my hunting endevours one bit. Good for Idaho! Finally a sentence that is just....

[quackersnacker]

Way to see the Strong Arm of the Law in action!!

[QH's Paw]

I would guess that Judge will have no problem being re-elected, if he is an elected official.

[Uncle ted]

i wish ALL judges would get this tough about ALL laws

[Hunt'nFish]

Originally Posted by jokester

FINALLY!!!!

OREGON JUDGES: TAKE NOTE!!!

-jokester

EXACTLY, Good Judge.....wish we had some like him here in Oregon.
Hunt'nFish

[fisher22]

I also agree with the responses.on this thread. I wish the judges would at least take the priveleges away for at LEAST 5 yrs. instead of what seems like the traditional 2 yrs. Great for the state of Idaho.

[Johnandhis4x4]

Props to the judge. Hopefully it will help set the bar here in Oregon in regard to poachers.



:c lap:

[wapiteaser]

What if everyone emailed that letter to your local judge? Do you think they might get the point and be a little more harsh? I am going to send it to a couple.

[Zbynek]

Don't get me wrong here ... I think it is great that a poacher got caught, tried, and convicted. It's great that he has to pay a fee, and a large one at that, to the state to reinburse them for the loss and testing. But, I don't understand the penalty beyond that.

He looses the privileage to hunt legally for the rest of his life. But isn't he already hunting illegally anyway? It sounds like the guy was taking either too many animals in a season, or he was taking animals out of season. So, if they take his liscense away for life, what are they really taking away? He can still keep on doing what he is already doing, right?

The prison scentence is real. 10 years in the big house is not something that I think anyone aspires to. But it is a probation deal. He only serves the scentence if they catch him poaching again. And the article said that it was extremely difficult to prove that poacher A actually killed animal B. So, it sounds like if he continues on his merry ways of poaching, the state might have a really hard time convicting him and getting him to the big house.

So, I'm left with thinking that although this victory sounds great for the state and should strike fear into the hearts of all idiots who poach, that it really is a hollow victory.

Maybe I misunderstood, but it seems like the only real penalty he has is the $$$.

[scoutdog5]

Finally, a judge puts the hammer down.

Zbynek, I think the prison sentence is the key. It is unlikely he will take the chance again with that hanging over his head. Plus, they don't have to catch him poaching, if he is caught in the woods with a hunter, or has animal parts in possession, his probation can be revoked.

We need a resolution like this in Oregon, and hopefully a lot of publicity about the sentence.

Scoutdog

[blacktail hunter]

i agree more jail time.

[death roe]

i think the death penelty would have been just

[MJ13]

hopefully it teaches him a lesson and sets an example for others.

[RidgeRunner]

It's about time someone gets tough with these losers. Way to go Idaho.

[Dave Smith]

Originally Posted by Zbynek

Don't get me wrong here ... I think it is great that a poacher got caught, tried, and convicted. It's great that he has to pay a fee, and a large one at that, to the state to reinburse them for the loss and testing. But, I don't understand the penalty beyond that.

He looses the privileage to hunt legally for the rest of his life. But isn't he already hunting illegally anyway? It sounds like the guy was taking either too many animals in a season, or he was taking animals out of season. So, if they take his liscense away for life, what are they really taking away? He can still keep on doing what he is already doing, right?

The prison scentence is real. 10 years in the big house is not something that I think anyone aspires to. But it is a probation deal. He only serves the scentence if they catch him poaching again. And the article said that it was extremely difficult to prove that poacher A actually killed animal B. So, it sounds like if he continues on his merry ways of poaching, the state might have a really hard time convicting him and getting him to the big house.

So, I'm left with thinking that although this victory sounds great for the state and should strike fear into the hearts of all idiots who poach, that it really is a hollow victory.

Maybe I misunderstood, but it seems like the only real penalty he has is the $$$.

I don't think it's a hollow victory at all!! $21,450 in fines? THAT'S literally making him pay for his crimes. 45 days in jail and TEN YEARS of probation, knowing that if he violates his probation, it's ten years in prison??? That's getting pretty tough compared to most convictions in the past. I applaud the judge!
Also, though I know that everyone in Idaho is treated equally, I can't help but think the local game wardens will be venturing into his neck of the woods on occasion- you know, just to "make sure there aren't some other poachers in the area", wink wink, nudge nudge.

[shadowstalker]

Originally Posted by wapiteaser

What if everyone emailed that letter to your local judge? Do you think they might get the point and be a little more harsh? I am going to send it to a couple.

[James in Idaho]

I know the guy who was the PA over there, (he has just been appointed to a judgeship), he's a hard core hunter himself. He has a rep of being very, very tough on crime. Wouldn't want to end up in his court either. The judge in this case is a no BS kind of guy too.

[billc_sbio]

While he isn't serving the 10 yr.s sentence (unless caught violating his probation).

And I hope that "45 Days" Jail time MEANS 45 Days, and not 4 days in Jail and release for overcrowding and good time served.

Just think HOW that $21,000 fine and 45 Days missing from your job would affect your life?

Lots of us would come back to NO Job!

And then there's the matter of paying that $21,000 off, while still paying your House Payment, maybe car payment and "other" assorted bills.

Just sayin...

[Zbynek]

It would be right nice if someone offered this poacher some jerky in front of the game warden.

Jerky is animal parts right?