SAN JUAN COUNTY, UTAH – November 13, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) – Two men who pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to illegal trapping in San Juan County were sentenced to pay a fine and restitution.
In a news release issued by the Division of Wildlife Resources, the two men, Taw Jackman and Clayton Sperry, were arrested after conservation officers observed them setting dozens of traps and not returning to check on them for weeks.
Utah law requires trappers to check their traps every 48 hours.
Investigators discovered the men were illegally trapping and taking bobcats, gray foxes and badgers. Officials then seized pelts of different animals and dozens of unmarked traps from the homes of both men.
Jackman was charged with 53 trapping violations and Sperry with 34. Both men pleaded down to five counts of destruction of protected wildlife and three counts of unlawful taking of protected wildlife.
Total fines and restitution equaled more than $3,600 and both men still face losing their trapping privileges for up to 24 years.
If anyone knows of, or suspects, illegal wildlife activities, please call the UTIP hotline at 800-662- 3337.
