In what was described as one of the most disturbing poaching cases in recent history, four men were sentenced in Montana’s 16th Judicial District Court in Garfield County for their roles in unlawfully taking 48 game animals, bringing a close to an investigation that began in 2014.
In a plea bargain, Richard LeBlanc of Rhode Island, Marc Federico of Rhode Island, Stephen Schenck of Massachusetts and William Mathews of Florida were jointly and individually ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution and received six-month suspended jail sentences, the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks announced Wednesday.
LeBlanc’s hunting, fishing and trapping privileges were suspended for 10 years, while Federico, Schenck and Mathews’ privileges were suspended for eight, seven and two years, respectively.
LeBlanc and other members of his hunting parties had already accumulated 31 citations for numerous violations stemming from poaching activities around the Byron Kerr Ranch in Garfield and McCone counties from 2005 to 2011.
Additional information received in 2014 prompted the latest lengthy investigation.
“The poachers targeted deer and antelope, but their main focus was the unlawful hunting of mule deer bucks in hunting district 652,” said Fish, Wildlife and Parks Criminal Investigator Steve Marx.
Mule deer bucks in HD 652 can only be hunted with a special permit obtained through the state’s drawing system.
Also on FTW Outdoors: Poacher caught with protected species in case with surprise ending
Charges included failing to wear hunter orange, shooting from the roadway, loan and transfer of hunting licenses, taking an over limit of game animals, waste of game, possession of unlawfully killed deer and antelope, hunting during a closed season, hunting without a valid license, hunting without a valid permit, failure to tag, felony possession of wildlife and conspiracy to commit an offense.
Two others were sentenced earlier and given lighter penalties in the case. Joseph Caetano of Massachusetts was ordered to pay $3,750, received a six-month suspended jail sentence and lost hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for 10 years, and Austin Bridwell of Florida was ordered to pay $1,400, received a 12-month suspended jail sentence and lost hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for two years.
“FWP enforcement’s excellent work and diligence resulted in the exposure of one of the most disturbing poaching cases in recent history,” said Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Director Hank Worsech. “From initial investigations to sentencing, our wardens demonstrated their commitment to the stewardship and protection of Montana’s outdoor resources.”
During the course of the investigation, 18 other violators were discovered, apprehended and prosecuted during the operation. Fines and fees ranged from $135 to $3,210 with restitution in nine cases either $500 or $1,000. Fifteen lost privileges for 24 to 36 months.
Photos of mule deer courtesy of National Park Service and Wikipedia Commons.
