LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Miss.- The sentencing came down this past week for two men for their role in the killing of a Louisiana black bear in Lauderdale county. The bear was killed back in January 2014.
The Clarion-Ledger reports that Meridian resident Travis Butler got someone (unnamed) to kill the endangered black bear. Then Butler, along with Chester Brad Williams, also of Meridian, took the bear to Quitman taxidermist David Lucas Wimberly to have it mounted, according to the Southern District of the United States Attorney’s office. The attorney’s office also said that Butler convinced Wimberly to hide the bear’s skin when an investigation by federal and state authorities began.
All three have plead guilty to their allegations. Williams and Wimbley were sentenced this past week in federal court by United States District Judge Henry T. Wingate.
Wimberly was handed a year of probation, a $1,000 fine as well as $3,333.33 to BEaR (Bear Education and Restoration). He also must mount the bear and give it to the U.S. Wildlife and Fisheries for educational purposes.
Williams received the same sentencing, and his included four months of home confinement. Both men also lost their hunting privileges for a year.
Butler’s sentencing will come in September, and is expected to be much more severe. He’s looking at up to one year in prison and a possible $100,000 fine under the Endangered Species Act for his role in the killing of the bear. An obstruction of a federal investigation conviction carries a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Not to worry though, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says that years of protection and restoration efforts have stabilized the black bear population, and they’re even considering removing it from the endangered species list.
