IOWA MAN SENTENCED IN POACHING CASE

[8x8bull]

colorado department of fish and game-

An Iowa man charged with poaching in Colorado and Iowa has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife"™s (DOW) anti-poaching initiative, Operation Game Thief, is getting a financial boost from an unlikely source: a convicted poacher.

On Jan. 6, George Allen Waters, 53, of West Branch, Iowa, was sentenced to nearly five years in federal prison for his part in the poaching of dozens of trophy-quality deer and elk in Colorado beginning in the early-1990s. State and federal authorities described the case as one of the largest poaching investigations in years.

Waters is expected to begin serving his prison term the week of Jan. 12. Under a plea agreement, he paid a restitution of $30,000, of which half will go to Operation Game Thief. A judge in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa in Rock Island, Ill., also imposed a hunting ban on Waters that is expected to remain in effect during three years of supervised probation following his prison term.

DOW investigator Glenn Smith said federal prosecutors expect to proceed with their case against several other defendants next week. Waters"™ prosecution was the result of a joint investigation by the DOW, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Attorney"™s Office in Iowa, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

"œThe investigation that led to Waters"™ conviction highlights the dedication and hard work of state and federal wildlife officers in pursuing people suspected of poaching our wildlife,"� Smith said. "œOnly through teamwork were we able to track down Waters and the others. Hopefully, the outcome will serve as a cautionary tale for everyone."�

Waters pleaded guilty to federal poaching charges in September, including two felony violations of the Lacey Act, a federal wildlife protection law, and one felony charge of illegal possession of a machine gun. State and federal authorities said he admitted to poaching 45 trophy-quality animals valued at $270,000. Investigators said the deer and elk were taken in Iowa and from western Colorado.

His sentencing came a week after a second man, Kevin Lee Chelf, 44, of Iowa City, pleaded guilty in the case. Under a plea agreement, he will serve eight months in federal prison without parole, pay a fine, and serve one year of supervised probation. Some $7,500 of Chelf"™s fine will go to Operation Game Thief, Smith said.

For more information about Operation Game Thief, visit http://wildlife.state.co.us/OGT/


TALK ABOUT PUNISHMENT BUT YOU DO THE CRIME YOU DO THE TIME.

[TREEDOG]

Hopefuly this sends a message to any other idiot who thinks of taking game illegaly. Its good to hear these guys have been busted and convicted and are paying for there actions. I think the hunting ban should be much longer but thats just me. Great job on the wildlife departments to get these losers.

[akbound]

Alaska has been very tough on poachers for quite some time. When caught and convicted.....it is normally accompanied by severe penalties. Inclulding loss of weapons, vehicles, hunting privileges, fines, and prison time. I think the proper message is being sent. (Too many people have been "winking" at poaching for too long. Because of carry over mentality from the Great Depression and earlier.)

I know most of us would have like to been born Daniel Boone......but those days are gone. (Besides......a large number of us sitting at the computer now would not have survived through childhood back then....just something to think about!)

[Ruger-Redhawk]

That's great they caught these guys. For the poaching they did unfortunately they were given a light sentence.Possession of a machine gun. That should be good for 5 years or more by itself.I have no use for poachers.Just last week by our lease we heard that a local got popped for night hunting. I was glad to hear that.We heard shots all hours of the night this last season.Until the courts make it hard on these violators it will continue to happen. I say throw the book at them. Give them enough time so they can think about what they did. Since they have Felony charges they'll never legally own another firearm which is good in this case.I hope these guys end up rotting in prison.
Ruger Redhawk

[Jorgy]

I think Colorado actaully has some of the weakest game laws of all the states. This guy did't get enough as far as I'm concerned

Possession of a machine gun. That should be good for 5 years or more by itself

no kidding

[j3k2c1]

I agree with you Jorgy. He should have had a much more hefty fine.

I busted a guy in november for poaching. Shot a 5x6 29" wide mulie inside of my city limits when the last deer hunt ended October 25! The deer grossed 206 3/8" typical. Shame he poached it...
he did get 2 years and $150,000 in fines, lost his truck and all his guns/bows and his hunting rights in Utah for the next 8 years.

[driftrider]

I'm just glad that they got at least what they got. Poaching isn't often that vigorously prosecuted. And while 5 years might not seem like much on its face, think about how long 5 years will feel in a federal prison. I think it'll make this jerkoff think twice before he ever pulls the trigger without a license again.

What surprises me is that this is the first I've hear of this case, and both these guys live no more than 35 miles from me. I go into Iowa City (25 miles south of Cedar Rapids) everyday to go to class, and West Branch is only 10 miles east of that. It's a big, small world I guess.

Mike

[stuckinthereeds]

Hell yeah. I would have given him more years.

[Cougar Mag]

I would have added a ban on hunting for life.

[Tazman]

I would have added a ban on hunting for life.

I agree, the only problem is the dirt bag is a poacher, so he could care less what the law says.