Two men convicted of wildlife killing spree after long investigation
An investigation that began with the brutal attack of several large hatchery fish in 2021 ended with the conviction of the two Montana men responsible for the fish deaths and the killing of four big-game animals.
'This case took a few years, but thanks to the hard work of our game wardens, we are glad to finally wrap this case up,' FWP Region 4 Warden Captain Dave Holland said in a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks press release. 'The sentences imposed by the court reflect the value of the resources taken by these two individuals, and especially the importance that the community places on the Giant Springs Hatchery.'
In the 8th Judicial Court of Cascade County, Richard Van Meter, 22, and Ty Robert Lewis, 21, were convicted of unlawful possession of a game animal, unlawful possession of a game fish, waste of a game animal, waste of a game fish, and hunting without a valid license.
Lewis paid $16,000 in fines and restitution; Van Meter paid $8,000. Both lost their hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for 20 years.
On Aug. 23, 2021, Montana game wardens discovered that several large fish in a display pond at the Giant Springs Fish Hatchery had been speared. Some were left at the scene. Those that survived had to be euthanized later.
Less than a month later, game wardens received a report that a bull elk had been shot and abandoned on a ranch near Cascade. The head and antlers were taken, and the rest of the body was left behind to waste.
Also on FTW Outdoors: Hunters who didn't want to stop shooting get 'sad slap on the wrist'
The investigation revealed that three bull elk and one black bear had been taken illegally, and tips from the public led game wardens to Van Meter and Lewis, who eventually confessed to the crimes.
Montana Fish, Wildife and Parks stated that Van Meter then left the state. Holland thanked game wardens from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for facilitating the return of Van Meter to Montana from California.
Generic feature image of a bull elk courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Two men convicted of wildlife killing spree after long investigation
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