Kenneth R. Britt, Jr., Wildlife Crimes, Mississippi 2021

Four men from Southwest Mississippi have pleaded guilty to federal wildlife crimes, including killing wild turkeys in excess of the legal limit and transporting them across state lines, according to a recent plea deal.

Kenneth R. Britt, Jr., 51, of Wesson, Tony Grant Smith, 26, of Wesson, Barney Leon Bairfield, III, 28, of Brookhaven, and Dustin Corey Treadway, 28, of Brookhaven, each pleaded guilty to charges related to the illegal killing of wild turkeys in Kansas and the transportation of those turkeys to Mississippi in 2017 and 2018.

The defendants traveled to Kansas and Nebraska and hunted wild turkeys, taking over 25 wild turkeys without the required hunting licenses and in excess of the limit of two per person per season, in violation of Kansas law.

Under the federal Lacey Act, it is unlawful for any person to transport across state lines any wildlife taken in violation of state law.

Senior U.S. District Judge David Bramlette III has scheduled sentencing for the defendants in the United States District Courthouse in Natchez, Mississippi, for February 9, 2021, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Special Agent in Charge Stephen Clark of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stated, 'We take our mission partnering with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks in conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats very seriously.'

Colonel Steve Adcock of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks added, 'The fine sportsmen and women of this state can rest assured that, nationwide, conservation enforcement agencies, along with Agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will continue working together to stop the thievery and abuse of our valuable natural resources.'

The case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. It is being prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Darren J. LaMarca.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdms/pr/four-southwest-mississippi-men-plead-guilty-federal-wildlife-crimes