Today: June 08, 2007 at 13:55:6 PDT
RENO, Nev. (AP) - A Utah man who pleaded guilty to illegally trapping
bobcats in Nevada has been fined $7,500 dollars and ordered to forfeit
more than 100 pelts valued at $38,000, state wildlife officials said
Friday.
The Nevada Department of Wildlife said the arrest and federal
prosecution of Cole Steele was a joint investigation by Nevada, Utah and
federal wildlife agencies.
Steele, 34, illegally obtained a 2004 Nevada trapping license by
claiming to be a Nevada resident. While he bought a house here, his
legal residence is in Santaquin, Utah, officials said.
Under state law, only Nevada residents can obtain trapping licenses
for bobcats.
In all, authorities said Steele illegally trapped 124 bobcats. Pelts
from 106 were recovered.
Steele was selling the pelts to his father, who operates a legitimate
fur trading business, officials said. The pelts were being prepared for
shipment to European fur markets when they were seized.
Steele pleaded guilty in March to a misdemeanor violation of the
Lacey Act, a federal law the prohibits trade in wildlife, fish and
plants that acquired illegally.
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