LAST EDITED ON Jan-26-15 AT 04:02PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Jan-26-15 AT 03:28?PM (MST)
LAST EDITED ON Jan-26-15 AT 03:07?PM (MST)
LAST EDITED ON Jan-26-15 AT 03:02?PM (MST)
36-year-old Garland resident Shelby D. Rhodes and 28-year-old Logan resident Steven Spillett BOTH pleaded guilty to Wanton destruction of protected wildlife Class A misdemeanor, and Interfering with a public servant a Class B Misdemeanor.
They admitted to shooting the buck with a 22 caliber. They POACHED the buck near the canal in the dark on Wednesday Oct 30th 2013. According to Logan airport temperatures Monday Oct 28th, the day after the hunt through Friday Nov 1st the only time that week where there were temperatures cold enough to make frost was approximately 1 AM until sun light on Oct 30th, the day the buck came up missing. NEW truck tire tracks were found in the same hay field that field Oct 30th. The tire tracks cannot be disputed when they were made, because of eye witness accounts, temperatures, and picture evidence. There were at least 11 witnesses were willing to testify and wrote statements. They saw the monster buck in that area. Including a current police officer, and retired police officer and current taxidermist, and three sportsmen saw the buck on Tuesday Oct 29th which was two days after the hunt, in the very field that the new truck tracks were made on the 30th.
Why was a 22 caliber gun used to shoot the buck in the field? Because the field was only 200 yards or so from homes.
There was a confession from a friend involved, and eventually Steven Spillet according to the statement in court today.
Both Rhodes and Spillett lied to DWR officers about the case on at least two different occasions. That is why they the received charges of interfering with a public servant.
There is a lot of physical evidence, the buck?s hair was found between the tire tracks in the field DNA evidence, where they loaded the buck. Tire tracks from the frost and imprinted in mud. Testimony of many witnesses, many who didn't know each other, but still saw the buck in the same area at the same time. Picture evidence of pictures of the buck on Monster muley website contradict the poachers and friends statements. Taxidermist statements. Etc. etc.
Wildlife Resources Code of Utah
Enforcement - Violations and Penalties
Wanton destruction of protected wildlife -- Penalties.
Title 23
Chapter 20
Section 4
23-20-4. Wanton destruction of protected wildlife -- Penalties.
(1) A person is guilty of wanton destruction of protected wildlife if that person:
(a) commits an act in violation of Section 23-13-4, 23-13-5, 23-13-13, 23-15-6 through 23-15-9, 23-16-5, or Subsection 23-20-3(1);
(b) captures, injures, or destroys protected wildlife; and
(c) (i) does so with intentional, knowing, or reckless conduct as defined in Section 76-2-103;
(ii) intentionally abandons protected wildlife or a carcass;
(iii) commits the offense at night with the use of a weapon;
(iv) is under a court or division revocation of a license, tag, permit, or certificate of registration; or
(v) acts for pecuniary gain.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to actions taken in accordance with:
(a) Title 4, Chapter 14, Utah Pesticide Control Act;
(b) Title 4, Chapter 23, Agricultural and Wildlife Damage Prevention Act; or
(c) Section 23-16-3.1.
(3) Wanton destruction of wildlife is punishable:
(a) as a third degree felony if:
(i) the aggregate value of the protected wildlife determined by the values in Subsection (4) is more than $500; or
(ii) a trophy animal was captured, injured, or destroyed;
(b) as a class A misdemeanor if the aggregate value of the protected wildlife, determined by the values established in Subsection (4) is more than $250, but does not exceed $500; and
Does this look like a ?trophy? mule deer buck?
This is a picture of Shelby Rhodes that was leaked on the internet, taken Nov 1st, 6 days after the hunt.
Poaching a trophy animal is a 3rd degree felony. The poaching was pleaded down to a Class A Misdemeanor. I understand that the DWR officer recommended a 3rd degree Felonies.
Because the wheels of justice can turn slowly AND Shelby Rhodes and Steven Spillett lied to the DWR officers, Shelby was able to draw an Elk tag for Pilot Mountain and he shot a 380 class big bull elk during the investigation. Did Shelby get rewarded for lying? Sportsmen recommend extra years of license revocation to reflect this injustice.
Six sportsmen and I were talking with a retired DWR conservation officer in the Court lobby after Rhodes and Spillett pleaded guilty to the lesser charges. Rhodes and Spillett were laughing as they departed the building. I don't know if someone told a joke, or they were laughing at the justice system this time being a joke? The retired DWR officer said you can write an email to the big game board, or director and that may help determine how long they lose their hunting privileges. I can guarantee you the sportsmen and residents of Hyde Park aren't laughing. Many think they should not be able to hunt again. The retired officer thought they might lose their hunting privileges for 3-5 years. What do you think is fair?
I'm not privy to all the facts, but I know quite a bit from passing sportsmen info onto the DWR so they could conduct interviews, and investigate.
Steven Spillett was found GUILTY 8-28-06, Violation: TAKING PROTECTED WILDLIFE WHILE TRESSPASSING. A repeat offender. That is public information.
Please email the big game board, and DWR director and voice what you think. Sentencing is March 2nd at 9 AM.
I would like to thank all those who worked on this case to try to reach a fair punishment for the crimes committed.
Thanks,
Greg Blotter
LAST EDITED ON Jan-26-15 AT 03:07?PM (MST)
LAST EDITED ON Jan-26-15 AT 03:02?PM (MST)
36-year-old Garland resident Shelby D. Rhodes and 28-year-old Logan resident Steven Spillett BOTH pleaded guilty to Wanton destruction of protected wildlife Class A misdemeanor, and Interfering with a public servant a Class B Misdemeanor.
They admitted to shooting the buck with a 22 caliber. They POACHED the buck near the canal in the dark on Wednesday Oct 30th 2013. According to Logan airport temperatures Monday Oct 28th, the day after the hunt through Friday Nov 1st the only time that week where there were temperatures cold enough to make frost was approximately 1 AM until sun light on Oct 30th, the day the buck came up missing. NEW truck tire tracks were found in the same hay field that field Oct 30th. The tire tracks cannot be disputed when they were made, because of eye witness accounts, temperatures, and picture evidence. There were at least 11 witnesses were willing to testify and wrote statements. They saw the monster buck in that area. Including a current police officer, and retired police officer and current taxidermist, and three sportsmen saw the buck on Tuesday Oct 29th which was two days after the hunt, in the very field that the new truck tracks were made on the 30th.
Why was a 22 caliber gun used to shoot the buck in the field? Because the field was only 200 yards or so from homes.
There was a confession from a friend involved, and eventually Steven Spillet according to the statement in court today.
Both Rhodes and Spillett lied to DWR officers about the case on at least two different occasions. That is why they the received charges of interfering with a public servant.
There is a lot of physical evidence, the buck?s hair was found between the tire tracks in the field DNA evidence, where they loaded the buck. Tire tracks from the frost and imprinted in mud. Testimony of many witnesses, many who didn't know each other, but still saw the buck in the same area at the same time. Picture evidence of pictures of the buck on Monster muley website contradict the poachers and friends statements. Taxidermist statements. Etc. etc.
Wildlife Resources Code of Utah
Enforcement - Violations and Penalties
Wanton destruction of protected wildlife -- Penalties.
Title 23
Chapter 20
Section 4
23-20-4. Wanton destruction of protected wildlife -- Penalties.
(1) A person is guilty of wanton destruction of protected wildlife if that person:
(a) commits an act in violation of Section 23-13-4, 23-13-5, 23-13-13, 23-15-6 through 23-15-9, 23-16-5, or Subsection 23-20-3(1);
(b) captures, injures, or destroys protected wildlife; and
(c) (i) does so with intentional, knowing, or reckless conduct as defined in Section 76-2-103;
(ii) intentionally abandons protected wildlife or a carcass;
(iii) commits the offense at night with the use of a weapon;
(iv) is under a court or division revocation of a license, tag, permit, or certificate of registration; or
(v) acts for pecuniary gain.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to actions taken in accordance with:
(a) Title 4, Chapter 14, Utah Pesticide Control Act;
(b) Title 4, Chapter 23, Agricultural and Wildlife Damage Prevention Act; or
(c) Section 23-16-3.1.
(3) Wanton destruction of wildlife is punishable:
(a) as a third degree felony if:
(i) the aggregate value of the protected wildlife determined by the values in Subsection (4) is more than $500; or
(ii) a trophy animal was captured, injured, or destroyed;
(b) as a class A misdemeanor if the aggregate value of the protected wildlife, determined by the values established in Subsection (4) is more than $250, but does not exceed $500; and
Does this look like a ?trophy? mule deer buck?
This is a picture of Shelby Rhodes that was leaked on the internet, taken Nov 1st, 6 days after the hunt.
Poaching a trophy animal is a 3rd degree felony. The poaching was pleaded down to a Class A Misdemeanor. I understand that the DWR officer recommended a 3rd degree Felonies.
Because the wheels of justice can turn slowly AND Shelby Rhodes and Steven Spillett lied to the DWR officers, Shelby was able to draw an Elk tag for Pilot Mountain and he shot a 380 class big bull elk during the investigation. Did Shelby get rewarded for lying? Sportsmen recommend extra years of license revocation to reflect this injustice.
Six sportsmen and I were talking with a retired DWR conservation officer in the Court lobby after Rhodes and Spillett pleaded guilty to the lesser charges. Rhodes and Spillett were laughing as they departed the building. I don't know if someone told a joke, or they were laughing at the justice system this time being a joke? The retired DWR officer said you can write an email to the big game board, or director and that may help determine how long they lose their hunting privileges. I can guarantee you the sportsmen and residents of Hyde Park aren't laughing. Many think they should not be able to hunt again. The retired officer thought they might lose their hunting privileges for 3-5 years. What do you think is fair?
I'm not privy to all the facts, but I know quite a bit from passing sportsmen info onto the DWR so they could conduct interviews, and investigate.
Steven Spillett was found GUILTY 8-28-06, Violation: TAKING PROTECTED WILDLIFE WHILE TRESSPASSING. A repeat offender. That is public information.
Please email the big game board, and DWR director and voice what you think. Sentencing is March 2nd at 9 AM.
I would like to thank all those who worked on this case to try to reach a fair punishment for the crimes committed.
Thanks,
Greg Blotter