If you're in a multi-person office, get together
and make one large order, thereby saving on packaging and postage. Please make checks out
to the Federal Wildlife Officers Association and send them along with your order to me at
26 N. McDonald #105, Mesa, AZ 85201. My phone number is 602-379-6443. Sorry, no e-mailFIELD REPORTS
Operation Renegade Update.
Convictions stemming from Operation Renegade, a
three year (1989-1991, three continent undercover investigation into illicit trade of
exotic psittacines and their eggs conducted by FWS Special operations, has to date
resulted in 33 convictions, with four defendants still awaiting trial.
A total of 54 felony and 10 misdemeanor charges
were filed against the 33, including CITES violations, Lacey Act violations, conspiracy,
smuggling, money laundering, perjury, and the filing of false income tax statements. They
have so far resulted in 20 prison sentences totaling just over 28 years, over $310,000 in
fines, restitution and forfeitures, and almost 1,000 hours of community service.
The first of three arrests occurred in 1992, when
officer's arrested a major parrot smuggler and native New Zealander in Los Angeles. At the
same time, other FWS agents and agents in New Zealand and Australia executed dozens of
search warrants in three countries and seized hundreds of live birds and large quantities
of records.
During the investigation leading up to that take
down, officers documented elaborate schemes designed to disguise the native origins of
large numbers of parrots which were collectively worth millions of dollars. The laundering
arrangement involved smuggling birds out of many African nations where they are protected
into other African countries, where they were given false documentation. these countries
then exported them to the United States, the world's largest importer of wild caught
birds.
The investigation also revealed that rare and
valuable native Australian cockatoos were smuggled into New Zealand, falsely documented as
captive-bred wildlife, then exported to the U.S. and other countries.
officers continued to follow leads in the evolving
case. In the summer of 1994, six more people were charged in Los Angeles with conspiracy
to smuggle the eggs of wild cockatoos out of Australia. Over a ten year period, the six
were employed as carriers, traveling to Australia each fall to remove cockatoo eggs from
nesting sites, then employing specially designed body vests to keep them warm during long
flights back to the U.S. More than 400 smuggled eggs, worth over $1,000,000, were then
incubated; the hatched birds were hand reared and sold to collectors for between $1,000
and $13,000, depending on the species.
An article in the Los Angeles Times last June
provided some revealing details about some of the smuggles and how they operated: "It
was in tiny New Paltz, NY, population 5,463, that (principal smuggler William) Regner
recruited a group of former high school friends to work for him..."
"Antics of the New Paltz bunch turned out to
be almost as colorful as the cockatoo itself, according to trial testimony."
"So many young people from the town wanted to
get in on the action that competing smuggling groups eventually formed. Once, New Paltz
rivals unexpectedly bumped into one another in the isolated Australian outback."
"Some smugglers, given airline tickets by the
ring, found themselves making so many trips Down Under that they decided to use aliases to
avoid attracting attention. Some picked the names of friends in New Paltz to use when they
applied for bogus passports. That meant that when Tom Fracasse decided to start smuggling,
he had to apply for a passport under an assumed name because his name was being used by
another smuggler..."
"Smugglers hid eggs beneath sweat shirts in
vests made of tanks tops and strips of Ace bandages sewn to form grid-like pockets. Body
heat kept the eggs at a proper temperature during the day; hair dryers warmed them at
night while everybody slept.......
"Thieves carried hand-drawn maps and
photographs of trees containing cockatoo nests discovered on previous trips. If they
didn't have maps, they tapped on tree trunks with sticks to flush adult cockatoos and
locate hollow nesting sites...."
The investigation was a major, joint effort by
officers from Regions 1, 4, and 5 and law enforcement officials in Australia and New
Zealand. Several persons have also been convicted on related charges in those two
countries.
Reported by Robert Jarmuz
FWS and Native Americans Cooperate on Illegal Trading
Conviction
Last year, members of the Native American
community in Nashville, Tennessee, apprised FWS agents that Joe Angel Molano (aka Charles
Thunderhawk, aka Sam Lone Wolf) was illegally trading in eagle feathers while masquerading
as a Native American. The subsequent investigation led to charges against Molano for
trading protected wildlife parts and products and his conviction on those charges in
federal court last August. Molano was sentenced to 45 days in a federal penitentiary and a
year's supervised probation, and fined $500 to reimburse the government for costs incurred
during the investigation. Following the investigation, American Indian Movement (AIM)
national field director Dennis Banks met with FWS officials to discuss the drafting of a
resolution urging all tribal councils to cooperate with FWS law enforcement personnel in
fighting illegal trafficking in wildlife. In a press release issued after the conviction,
AIM had this to say: "The sentencing brings a halt to a career based on intimidation,
violence, lies and disrespect for Indian Peoples and Native Spirituality. Court
proceedings brought to light more than 20 aliases, nine felony arrests, and eight
different Social Security numbers in the last ten years. Molano's con game was uncovered
and denounced by AIM shortly after the Sundance at Pipestone in 1994. Up to then, Molano
had been conducting ceremonies and sweats for money. 'This is an important step in the
fight to stop the desecration of our ceremonies, sacred items and Indian Peoples",
stated Dennis Banks. 'This will send a message to other phony "Medicine Men and
women", Indian and non-Indian, that we will no longer tolerate the disrespect and
desecration that has occurred in the past ten years.'"
FWS and National Marine Fisheries also announced a
new joint management policy last fall which is designed to enhance the role of tribal
governments in every aspect of the endangered species program, from provision of
information on which species should be protected to more active management of recovering
species on or near tribal lands.
Reported by Mike Elkins
Three Region 6Cases
Bob Prieskat successfully investigated a case in
which a Wyoming sheep rancher was convicted in a jury trial on four counts of violation of
the Eagle Act. The defendant, Juan Maya, had been shooting, poisoning and trapping eagles.
The eagles caught in leg hold traps were either killed by Maya or released after he took
an irrigation shovel and chopped their feet off. The judge ruled that the second, third
and fourth count convictions were second and subsequent convictions and therefore felony
convictions under the Eagle Act. The judge sentenced him to 15 months in prison and
ordered him to pay a $16,000 fine. Great job, Bob.
Officers Eicher and Suazo investigated a case in
which Chad McKittrick shot and killed a wolf near Red Lodge, Montana. The wolf was part of
the reintroduction program to reestablish a population of wolves in Yellowstone National
Park. McKittrick was found guilty of violating the Endangered Species Act in a lengthy
jury trial. On February 26th, McKittrick was sentenced to three months in jail and three
months in a half-way house, followed by a year's probation; ordered to pay $10, 000 in
restitution; and forfeited his hunting and fishing privileges. Eicher and Suazo received a
special commendation from Director Beattie for their work.
Officer Brown investigated a case involving the
killing of a large trophy bull elk in Yellowstone National Park and the cutting and
removal of its antlers. Chad Bues of Salt Lake City plead guilty to a misdemeanor count of
killing the elk in the park, a misdemeanor Lacey Act count of transportation of the
illegally taken antlers, and a felony count of attempting to influence the testimony of a
grand jury witness in order to cover up his involvement in the elk killings. On April 3rd,
Bues was sentenced to eight months in jail, fined $20,000, ordered to pay an additional
$10, 000 restitution to the park to be used for anti-poaching efforts, and forfeited his
Sako high-powered rifle.
Region 6 participated in a major wildlife check
station operation along I-80 just east of North Platte, Nebraska, last October. The check
station was operated 24 hours per day for three days. The purpose was to intercept
wildlife that had been illegally taken, primarily in Western states, and was being
transported back to Eastern states. Participants included FWS, Nebraska Game and Parks
Commission, conservation agencies from fourteen other states, INS, the U.S. Marshals
Service, and local authorities. Approximately 2,500 sportsmen were contacted, and over 170
wildlife violations were discovered. To date 66 wildlife related charges have been filed,
netting about $30,000 in fines. A total of 87 illegally taken or possessed animals or
their parts were seized, including elk, deer, antelope and migratory birds. In addition, a
total of 107 non-wildlife related violations were also detected, including the
apprehension of 75 illegal aliens and 17 drug related cases.
Region 6 LE received $750,000 in 1995 to conduct
investigations of migratory bird mortalities resulting from exposure to contaminants.
These investigations looked at the cyanide heap-leach gold mines that have killed numerous
birds which land and drink from open cyanide solution ponds; wool growers who
intentionally poison eagles, hawks and other migratory birds through misuse of toxic
chemicals; the agriculture industry, which misapplies pesticides, herbicides, and
nematicides; and the copper mines, trona mines, the power industry and related businesses
which have exposed toxic liquid holding areas. The investment yielded $4.7 million in
fines.
Reported by Gary Mowad
Illegal Fishing Case Closure
A six month long joint investigation into illegal
commercial fishing in Ohio waters of Lake Erie was recently settled by FWS in cooperation
with the Coast guard and Ohio Division of Wildlife(DOW). Ten Canadian fishing boat
captains admitted to illegally fishing in U.S. waters and agreed to pay civil penalties of
up to $1,000 each. Through a special arrangement with Ohio DOW, the entire settlement of
$7,650 will be donated to the Ohio Wildlife Habitat Trust Fund.
The Canadian fishermen had been suspected of
fishing in U.S. waters on an annual basis for some time. Equipped with extensive
navigation equipment and the ability to operate in extremely rough conditions, these
seaworthy vessels would typically withdraw into Canadian waters when U.S. officials were
spotted. The size of the lake, inclement fall and winter weather, and budgetary
constraints aggravated the problem of apprehending them.
A breakthrough occurred last year when Detroit
based Coast Guard helicopter crews documented Canadian fishing vessels in U. S. waters
while flying routine aerial reconnaissance of the international boundary of Lake Erie. The
gillnetting and trawling operations conducted by Canadian fishermen, both specifically
prohibited by state law, were taking highly valued game fish, such as walleye(pickerel)
and yellow perch.
Reported by Dan LeClair.
Lacey/Eagle Act Conviction
Peg Bargon, 39, of Monticello, Illinois, plead
guilty in federal court last summer to four misdemeanor violations of the Lacey Act and
Bald Eagle Protection Acts. As part of the plea agreement, the government agreed to
dismiss two additional counts that alleged another violation of the Eagle Act and an MBTA
violation.
Bargon was found to be commercially promoting and
selling craft items known as dreamcatchers, using migratory bird feathers in some of them.
She admitted that she had knowingly dealt in the feathers. Two of the owners of the store
where the dreamcatchers were sold told agents that they had been advised that it was
illegal to possess or sell migratory bird feathers, and had discussed this with Bargon.
The items nonetheless were still marketed.
Bargon's presentation of a dreamcatcher which
included feathers from a bald eagle, goshawk, barred owl, and a snowy owl to Mrs. Clinton
during the latter's appearance at the University of Illinois in 1994 resulted in
heightened media interest in the case. Clinton turned over the dreamcatcher to FWS when
she was initially contacted.
U.S. Attorney Frances Hulin had this to say about
the case: "This case represents the resolve of this office to continue to enforce and
uphold the purpose and intent of national wildlife preservation laws - to preserve and
protect wildlife from commercial exploitation. The wildlife preservation laws were enacted
in response to the widening commercial use of animal and bird parts - with resulting
damage and endangerment to native species - during the early part of this century ...It is
not the intent of this office to prosecute the casual possessor of a feather found in a
natural setting, or individuals who innocently acquire objects containing such feathers.
However, federal law enforcement officials have an obligation, which was exercised in this
case, to prevent the willful misuse of protected animal and bird parts when they are used
for commercial gain."
Reported by Tim Santel.
Trumpeter Swan Conviction
Rollin Rohman, 63, Dr. James Fleming, 42, and John
Cambruzzi, 37, pled not guilty to shooting three trumpeter swans in federal district court
in Urbana, Illinois, last year. They received fines and penalties totaling nearly $4,000
for criminal violations of MBTA. Most of the money will go into a trumpeter swam recovery
program.
The three men had wounded the three young swans,
or cygnets, while waterfowl hunting on Lake Decatur in Illinois. All three were born in
the wild and had been banded by Wisconsin DNR as part of an endangered species recovery
program. The wounded swans were later captured and taken to a center for treatment. Only
one survived.
Rohman and Cambruzzi were also placed on a year's
supervised probation,during which they are prohibited from hunting anywhere in the U.S.
for a six month period.
Reported by Tim Santel
SUNDRY MATTERS
Officer Safety
Mike Lucckino has sent along the following, which
was provided to him by an ATF agent:
"ATF has learned that the Haines Cross
Directory, which is available to the general public, is changing the way it collects
information for the directory. Haines will now use information from property records. If
you own or are buying a home, your address along with your home phone number, regardless
of whether it is non-published or not, will be listed. Haines is one of the largest
publishers of directories and sells its information to other directory publishers. Haines
corporate offices were contacted and provided the following information for law
enforcement use:
Send a written request to Haines asking that your
name, address and telephone number be deleted from their directory because you are
employed by a law enforcement agency. You must provide your name, address and telephone
number and a call back number (law enforcement agency). Mail this request to Haines &
Company, 8050 Freedom Avenue, NW, North Canton, OH 44720, Attn: Pat Garner, Director, Data
Processing."
Awards
Gary Mowad, Region 6
representative has sent along the following note:
In March, Terry Grosz received two major awards
for his achievements in wildlife conservation. On March 1st, he was presented with the
Department of Interior's Meritorious Service Award in recognition of his exceptional
contributions in the fields of fish and wildlife conservation and law enforcement. Region
6 RD Ralph Morganwick made the presentation during a special ceremony held before the
entire regional office staff. Terry's wife and family were also present.
Terry then boarded a plane for West Palm Beach,
Florida, where he was presented with the National Wildlife Federation's 1995 Conservation
Achievement Award in the law enforcement category. The accompanying plaque read "for
extraordinary contribution to conservation of wildlife and natural resources...by the
people and for the people."
Congratulations, Terry, for these well-deserved
awards. You continue to represent the division well, and still serve as an inspiration to
us all.
Training
The USFWS National Education and Training Center
is offering a course on environmental investigations which will be held at the University
of Reno in Nevada between August 14th and 18th. The course is designed primarily for
environmental contaminants specialists and officers whose responsibilities include legal
and biological investigations of environmental contaminant cases. There's no tuition for
FWS and NBS employees. Applications must be received by May 1st. Contact Linda Lyon
for further information; her phone number is 703-358-2148, her e-mail is
Linda_Lyon@mail.fws.gov.
NAWEOA Conference
The 1996 conference of the North American Wildlife
Officers' Association, entitled "Above and Beyond", will be held in Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan, from July 17th to the 21st. Highlights will include:
ö conservation law enforcement seminars;
ö warden games competition, hosted by Red Green, a comedian and television personality;
ö a golf tournament;
ö a sporting clay challenge;
ö family programs;
ö a traditional Saskatchewan "fowl supper."
If you register before June 1st, the basic fees
are as follows: $100 for officer delegates, $120 for civilian delegates(including
associate NAWEOA members); $65 for spouse/guests; $25 for children under 12. Events range
in cost from $25 to $40.
For conference information, contact any of FWOA's
national officers or Kerry Wrishko at 306-628-3100(work) or 306-628-3900(home). According
to the registration form, you can also register by phone by calling 306-386-2212 between
8:30a.m. and 5:00p.m. weekdays (local time). Be prepared to offer credit card information.
Retirement
Bill Reynolds (Houston , Texas) retired on January
3rd following 22 years of federal service. Bill began his career with the Service as an
officer in Nashville, Tennessee before transferring to Devil's Lake, North Dakota, then to
Houston.
Gathering
The Southeast Law Enforcement Retirees will hold
their annual meeting from April 17th to the 19th in Asheville, NC. FWOA President Kevin
O'Brien has accepted an invitation to speak at the gathering.
FROM THE EDITOR
As can be seen, there were a fair number of
responses to the appeal in the last issue for more submissions to the newsletter. Many
thanks to those of you who took time to mail in press releases, clippings, and incident
reports. It's not necessary to send in a finished article; I'm more than happy to extract
relevant info from raw material. Take a moment now to send along a report on cases you've
made - or any other matter that's relevant to this association and to its member agents
and supporters.
The deadline for the summer addition of the FWOA
newsletter is June 30, 1996. Please have your submissions in by that date.
