Christopher Brackett, Lacey Act Violations, Illinois 2020

Two central Illinois hunters have been banned from hunting after violating the Lacey Act, a federal law that protects wildlife and the environment.

Christopher Brackett, 41, a former host of a cable hunting show, and Rick A. Hamm, 58, owner of a waterfowl outfitting service, were sentenced in separate cases for federal hunting violations.

Brackett, of East Peoria, Ill., was banned from hunting worldwide and cannot possess firearms during his sentence of 30 months of probation. He was ordered to pay $3,500 in restitution to the State of Indiana and a $26,500 fine.

Hamm, of Chillicothe, Ill., was banned from hunting and guiding worldwide during his sentence of 24 months of probation. He was ordered to serve five days in jail, pay $2,500 in restitution to the State of Illinois and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and pay a $50,000 fine.

Brackett was sentenced on January 15, 2020, for unlawful transportation of wildlife, in violation of the Lacey Act. He pleaded guilty in July 2019, to killing two bucks within minutes of each other during the December 2013 filming of an episode of his cable show.

Hamm was sentenced on January 16, 2020, to unlawful sale of wildlife, in violation of the Lacey Act. He pleaded guilty in September 2019, to using an electronic caller to lure geese into shooting range during a guided hunt in December 2015.

Both men were investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with the assistance of the Illinois and Indiana Departments of Natural Resources.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Legge represented the government in the case.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdil/pr/two-central-illinois-hunters-banned-illegal-practices