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Date: 09-07-2019
Case Style:
United States of America v. Rick A. Hamm
Case Number: 1:18-cr-10023-JES-JEH
Judge: James E. Shadid
Court: United States District Court for the Middle District of Illinois (Peoria County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: Katherine Legge
Defendant's Attorney:
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Description:
Peoria, IL - Local Waterfowl Outfitter Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Guided Hunt
Rick A. Hamm, 58, of Chillicothe, Ill., owner of “Show Me Your Snows,” a waterfowl outfitting service, pleaded guilty to unlawful sale of wildlife, in violation of the Lacey Act. Hamm admitted that in December 2015, he and his assistant guides took two hunters on a guided waterfowl hunt in Fulton County, Ill. During the hunt, Hamm and his guides used an electronic caller to lure geese into shooting range, knowing it was unlawful under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Illinois conservation regulations. As a result of the use of the electronic caller, the hunters were able to shoot and kill geese. The two hunters were agents with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acting in an undercover capacity.
The government and Hamm have agreed to a sentence of 24 months of probation with the condition that during the 24-month period, Hamm is banned from hunting and guiding worldwide. Hamm has also agreed to pay $2,500 in restitution to the State of Illinois and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and to pay a $50,000 fine.
This is the second time Hamm has been prosecuted in federal court for wildlife crimes. In 2000, he pleaded guilty to three violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act dealing with shooting waterfowl over the bag limit, transporting untagged waterfowl, and hunting with lead shot. In that case, Hamm paid a $5,000 fine.
Each of Hamm’s co-defendants, Trent Gustafson, Zachary Entwistle, James Schupp, and J. Weston Schupp, have previously pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
The charges were investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with the assistance of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Charges:
18:371.F CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD THE UNITED STATES Beginning no later than 2015 and continuing at least through 2017, within the CDIL, the Dfts did knowingly commit Conspiracy to Violate the Lacey Act. In violation of 18 USC §371.
(1)
16:3372.F PROHIBITED ACTS, OTHER THAN MARKING OFFENSE On or about 12/17/15 in Fulton County in the CDIL, Dfts did knowingly engage in Unlawful Sale of Wildlife. In violation of 16 USC §3372(a)(2)(A) and 3373(d)(1)(A).
(2)
16:704.M RULES AND REGULATIONS ON MIGRATORY BIRDS On or about 12/17/15 in Fulton County in the CDIL, Dft did place and direct placement of bait on an area for the purpose to take migratory game birds. In violation of 16 USC §704(b)(2) and 707(c), and Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 20.21.
(3)
16:704.M RULES AND REGULATIONS ON MIGRATORY BIRDS On or about 12/17/15 in Fulton County in the CDIL, Dfts did take migratory game birds on and over a baited area. In violation of 16 USC §704(b)(1) and 707(a), and Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 20.21.
(4)
16:703.M TAKING, KILLING OR POSSESSING MIGRATORY BIRDS On or about 12/17/15 in Fulton County in the CDIL, Dfts did hunt, take, and attempt to take migratory birds by use and aid of an electronic caller. In violation of 16 USC §703 and 707(a), and Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 20.21.
(5)
Outcome:
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Defendant's Experts:
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