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Deer Smuggling Duo Sentenced
Two Louisiana Men Get Probation for Smuggling White-Tailed Deer into Mississippi
Two Louisiana residents, Edward L. Donaldson Jr. and John Jared Oertling, have been sentenced for their role in smuggling live white-tailed deer into Mississippi. The pair, both residents of Pearl River, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, appeared in Hattiesburg court on Tuesday.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Donaldson and Oertling were charged with conspiring to smuggle live white-tailed deer into Mississippi. U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett sentenced both men to three years of probation, a fine of $10,000, and a worldwide prohibition from hunting of any type for one year.
Oertling was also ordered to serve six months of house arrest under location monitoring. The 1,031 acre high-fenced enclosure, known as Turkey Trot, and owned by Donaldson’s daughter and Oertling’s wife, was also subject to a five-year quarantine by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. The white-tailed deer inside will undergo testing for chronic wasting disease at the cost of $120,000, paid for by Donaldson and Oertling.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took a strong stance on the matter, stating that the potential spread of disease caused by the illegal commercialization of wildlife resources is a high priority. The agency will continue to work closely with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks to assist in investigations.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of the Inspector General, and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Darren J. LaMarca and Dave Fulcher.
U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Luis Santiago of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, announced the sentencing. The duo’s actions are a clear reminder of the importance of upholding wildlife laws and protecting the state’s natural resources.
Key Facts
- State: Mississippi
- Category: Wildlife Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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