ID - Deer poacher has hunting privileges suspended for life
Deer poacher has hunting privileges suspended for life
09/22/2008 04:18 PM MDT
KTVB
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.
