Related Federal Cases
- Eagle Head Outfitters Guide Indicted for Lacy Act Violations · Kansas
- Hotel Owner Sentenced for Hiring Undocumented Workers · Kansas
- KC Daycare Owner, Director Indicted in $556K Fraud Scheme · Kansas
- Vet Fraud: Clinic Owner Biersmith Admits Scam · Kansas
- Topeka Pizza Shop Owner Adolfo Barragan-Rodriguez Indicted in Drug Ring · Kansas
Hunting Guide Owner Pleads Guilty to Lacey Act Violations
A shocking case of corruption in the hunting industry has come to light as Josh Hedges, the 35-year-old owner of Eagle Head Outfitters, LLC, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act and one count of violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
WICHITA, KAN. – Hedges, a resident of Grenola, Kansas, was sentenced to five years on probation and ordered to pay $15,000 restitution to the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Restitution Fund. In addition, he was forbidden to hunt, trap or guide for 12 years. Hedges also agreed to divest himself of the company.
The charges against Hedges stem from his actions while taking clients on hunting trips. He admitted to directing his guides to engage in several illicit activities, including placing corn, wheat and soybeans around ponds as bait for waterfowl, helping hunters to exceed their daily bag limits by offering to say they shot some of the birds the hunters shot, and failing to tag, process and transport birds as required by state and federal law.
In a disturbing display of disregard for the law, Hedges even admitted to shooting a hawk from his vehicle while sitting on a county road near Grenola.
U.S. Attorney Tom Beall commended the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster for their work on the case. The guilty plea and sentence mark a significant victory for those who seek to uphold the integrity of the hunting industry.
Hedges’ actions not only put his clients at risk but also threatened the very fabric of the hunting community. His guilty plea serves as a reminder that those who engage in such activities will be held accountable for their actions.
The case is a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining the highest standards of ethics and integrity in the hunting industry. As the community moves forward, it is essential that we prioritize the preservation of our natural resources and the well-being of all participants in the hunting industry.
RELATED: ‘Cabin Country’ Guide Saiff Admits to Baited Hunts
RELATED: Mineral County Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearm Possession
Key Facts
- State: Kansas
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News