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Date: 03-10-2023
Case Style:
United States of America v. Jon Rioux
Case Number: 2:22-cr-00047
Judge: Nancy Torresen
Court: United States District Court for the District of Maine (Cumberland County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office in Portland
Defendant's Attorney:
Description: Portland, Maine criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant charged with interstate trafficking in wildlife in violation of 16 U.S.c. 3372(a)(2)(A) and 3373(d)(2).
John Rioux, age 36, of Attleboro, Massachusetts solicited Maine residents to live trap snowshoe hares. On four occasions Rioux illegally purchased snowshoe hares in Maine and then transported them to Massachusetts to use for beagle training and field trials. On March 16, 2022, Rioux was arrested by Maine Game Wardens and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agents at the Kennebunk service plaza on the Maine Turnpike after his fifth purchase.
“Illegally trafficking wildlife across state lines not only exploits public resources it threatens wild populations by creating the potential for disease transmission,” said Edward Grace, Assistant Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. “We’re grateful for our close collaboration with state partners in Maine to help us enforce laws that protect wildlife resources on behalf of the American public."
The Maine Warden Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigated the case with assistance from the Massachusetts Environmental Police.
Outcome: One Year Probation, on each of Counts One and Two, to be served concurrently. $25.00 Special Assessment on each of Counts One and Two. $10,000.00 Fine on Count One.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: