Los Angeles, California— Joshua J. Whittaker, 34, of Corona, Calif., pled guilty in federal court in Los Angeles today to one felony charge of violating the federal Lacey Act. The charge is a result of his involvement in illegal trophy deer hunting in Wisconsin. U.S. District Court Judge Audrey B. Collins sentenced Whittaker to pay a fine of $5,000 and serve one month of home confinement. Judge Collins placed Whittaker on probation for two years, during which he cannot hunt or fish anywhere in the United States. In addition, Whittaker was ordered to pay $8,000 in restitution to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, for his involvement in the illegal killing of four white-tailed deer.
In a written plea agreement, Whittaker admitted that in November 2004, he and a hunting companion hunted deer illegally in Richland County, Wisconsin. Specifically, the men, accompanied by Blue Rivers Outfitter owner and guide Adam Lawinger, hunted deer at night with a powerful spotlight (a practice known as “shining”). Using Lawinger’s rifle, Whittaker shot a nine-point trophy white-tailed deer while his hunting companion held the spotlight. On another night that same month, Lawinger and the hunting companion again hunted illegally in Richland County, Wisconsin with the aid of a spotlight. While Lawinger held the spotlight, the other man shot and wounded an eight-point buck.
Lawinger shipped the antlers from both illegal bucks to Whittaker’s construction business in California. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agents and Wisconsin Conservation Wardens executed a search warrant at Whittaker’s residence in May 2005, seizing the antlers from both bucks.
Whittaker forfeited mounted whitetail bucks killed illegally in Wisconsin in 2002, 2003 and 2004, together with a compound bow and archery equipment used in the illegal hunts.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigators began investigating Blue River Outfitters in 2004 after citizen reports of widespread illegal hunting in the counties of Richland and Iowa, in southwestern Wisconsin. Investigators learned that paying clients from 11 states were involved. The highest number of clients came from California (13) and Florida (19).
To date, 51 people have been convicted in Wisconsin State Circuit Court of offenses committed at Blue River Outfitters. Seven have been convicted in U.S. District Court for violating the federal Lacey Act, which prohibits interstate commerce in wildlife taken in violation of state law. An additional six Blue River Outfitters clients were convicted in Ontario, Canada, for illegal bear hunts arranged through guide and Blue River Outfitters owner Adam Lawinger.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov.
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