Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Suzanne Lewis announced that on January 7, 2004, U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen E. Cole convicted Travis G. Wall, 31, of Rigby, Idaho, and Tate W. Carter, 38, of St. Anthony, Idaho, for misdemeanor Lacey Act violations. Each pleaded guilty through a plea agreement to one count of violating the Lacey Act and each was ordered to pay $1,750 in restitution and assessed $25 in court fees. Wall and Carter received a 90-day suspended jail sentence and were placed on federal probation for three years and banned from the park for two years. The two men were charged after an investigation by rangers revealed that they intentionally removed a bighorn sheep skull and horns from within the park.

Carter first discovered the sheep skull while visiting the park with a school group and asked the law enforcement ranger, who was with them, if they could take it. After being told that it was illegal to remove such items from the park, Carter attempted to get a permit to take the skull. When the permit request was rejected, both Carter and Wall returned to the park in August 2002 and took the skull and horns.

In March 2003, the Yellowstone National Park Investigations Office received notification of the theft from Idaho Fish and Game wardens; they had discovered the skull and horns at Brigham Young University-Idaho during a separate investigation.

Superintendent Lewis reminds all park visitors that disturbing, collecting and/or removal of natural features from national parks are prohibited by law and subject to fines and/or jail. Those involved in illegal activities in Yellowstone will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Anyone who has information regarding poaching or other illegal activities occurring within Yellowstone National Park are strongly encouraged to contact the Yellowstone National Park Investigations Office at: 307-344-2120.

Information provided by the NPS

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