T
TheChase
Guest
I finally found the press release from AZ that shows just what kind of hunter George Tualman and USO is.
Press Release Issued by the Office of U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona:
The U.S. Attorney's Office and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the indictment of two individuals and a corporation by a federal grand jury for violations of federal wildlife laws stemming from an investigation dubbed "Operation Navajo Buck," conducted during 1998 and 1999.
The investigation, which began in 1998, focused on several big game guides based in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, who were suspected of unlawfully using aircraft prior to and during hunting seasons to locate deer and elk for hunting clients in Northern Arizona. The investigation also focused on illegal guiding and hunting on the Navajo Indian Reservation. To date, 12 individuals have been convicted of federal violations and have paid in excess of $85,000 in fines and have forfeited one aircraft and unlawfully taken wildlife.
Indicted was a big game outfitter George Taulman, Taos, NM, who was charged with one felony violation of the Lacey Act, two felony violations of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act, and two misdemeanor violations of the Airborne Hunting Act. The felony violation of the Lacey Act alleges that an elk was taken by a paid hunting client with the aid of an aircraft in 1998.
The felony conspiracy relates to hunts in 1998 and 1999 that Taulman conspired to use aircraft to aid hunting clients in the taking of elk. Taulman's business, United States Outfitter, Inc., was also indicted on three felony counts related to the 1998 and 1999 hunts. Forfeiture of a Cessna 182 aircraft allegedly used during the hunts is required in the indictment.
In addition, United States Outfitter's David Holton, III, of Lake Montezuma, AZ, was indicted on one felony violation of the Lacey Act, one felony violation of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act, and one misdemeanor violation of the Airborne Hunting Act. All violations relate to an elk hunt conducted in 1998 near Payson, AZ, in which it is alleged that a paid hunting client took an elk with the aid of an aircraft.
The Lacey Act is a Federal wildlife law which makes it unlawful to transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase wildlife which was taken, transported, possessed, or sold in violation of State, Federal, or Indian tribal laws or regulations. Felony violations of the Lacey Act carry maximum fines of up to $25,000 for persons, $500,000 for a corporation, and up to five years in prison. All vehicles and aircraft used in violation of the felony provisions of the Lacey Act are subject to forfeiture.
The Airborne Hunting Act is a Federal wildlife law which makes it unlawful to shoot animals from an aircraft or to harass animals with an aircraft. The Airborne Hunting Act Regulations prohibit a person, while on the ground, from taking or attempting to take wildlife by means, aid, or use of an aircraft. Maximum penalty for violations for the Airborne Hunting Act include fines up to $100,000 for a person, and $200,000 for a corporation, and one year in prison.
An indictment is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. A person is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that established guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The investigation that led to the indictments was conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with assistance from the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The prosecution is being handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona, In Phoenix, AZ.
A defendant was sentenced by the U.S. Magistrate in Phoenix, AZ for violating the Lacey Act predicated by tribal law. He had purchased a bull elk hunting permit from a tribal member and killed a 6x6 trophy bull elk on the White Mountain Apache Reservation. The defendant was sentenced to pay $15,000 restitution to the White Mountain Apache Reservation, three years probation, and no hunting/fishing for three years. The 6x6 bull elk was forfeited to the government.
Brian
Press Release Issued by the Office of U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona:
The U.S. Attorney's Office and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the indictment of two individuals and a corporation by a federal grand jury for violations of federal wildlife laws stemming from an investigation dubbed "Operation Navajo Buck," conducted during 1998 and 1999.
The investigation, which began in 1998, focused on several big game guides based in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, who were suspected of unlawfully using aircraft prior to and during hunting seasons to locate deer and elk for hunting clients in Northern Arizona. The investigation also focused on illegal guiding and hunting on the Navajo Indian Reservation. To date, 12 individuals have been convicted of federal violations and have paid in excess of $85,000 in fines and have forfeited one aircraft and unlawfully taken wildlife.
Indicted was a big game outfitter George Taulman, Taos, NM, who was charged with one felony violation of the Lacey Act, two felony violations of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act, and two misdemeanor violations of the Airborne Hunting Act. The felony violation of the Lacey Act alleges that an elk was taken by a paid hunting client with the aid of an aircraft in 1998.
The felony conspiracy relates to hunts in 1998 and 1999 that Taulman conspired to use aircraft to aid hunting clients in the taking of elk. Taulman's business, United States Outfitter, Inc., was also indicted on three felony counts related to the 1998 and 1999 hunts. Forfeiture of a Cessna 182 aircraft allegedly used during the hunts is required in the indictment.
In addition, United States Outfitter's David Holton, III, of Lake Montezuma, AZ, was indicted on one felony violation of the Lacey Act, one felony violation of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act, and one misdemeanor violation of the Airborne Hunting Act. All violations relate to an elk hunt conducted in 1998 near Payson, AZ, in which it is alleged that a paid hunting client took an elk with the aid of an aircraft.
The Lacey Act is a Federal wildlife law which makes it unlawful to transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase wildlife which was taken, transported, possessed, or sold in violation of State, Federal, or Indian tribal laws or regulations. Felony violations of the Lacey Act carry maximum fines of up to $25,000 for persons, $500,000 for a corporation, and up to five years in prison. All vehicles and aircraft used in violation of the felony provisions of the Lacey Act are subject to forfeiture.
The Airborne Hunting Act is a Federal wildlife law which makes it unlawful to shoot animals from an aircraft or to harass animals with an aircraft. The Airborne Hunting Act Regulations prohibit a person, while on the ground, from taking or attempting to take wildlife by means, aid, or use of an aircraft. Maximum penalty for violations for the Airborne Hunting Act include fines up to $100,000 for a person, and $200,000 for a corporation, and one year in prison.
An indictment is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. A person is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that established guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The investigation that led to the indictments was conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with assistance from the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The prosecution is being handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona, In Phoenix, AZ.
A defendant was sentenced by the U.S. Magistrate in Phoenix, AZ for violating the Lacey Act predicated by tribal law. He had purchased a bull elk hunting permit from a tribal member and killed a 6x6 trophy bull elk on the White Mountain Apache Reservation. The defendant was sentenced to pay $15,000 restitution to the White Mountain Apache Reservation, three years probation, and no hunting/fishing for three years. The 6x6 bull elk was forfeited to the government.
Brian
