Lawrence C. Parawan, Jr., Wildlife Poisoning, Tennessee 2012

WARTACE, TN – A Bedford County farmer was sentenced earlier this year for intentionally poisoning wildlife on his property, resulting in the death of a protected hawk and multiple other animals. Lawrence C. Parawan, Jr., 57, pled guilty in October 2011 to federal charges stemming from his use of the highly toxic pesticide carbofuran, sold under the trade name Furadan, in a manner explicitly prohibited by law.

According to court documents and statements from investigating agencies, Parawan laced a chicken carcass with carbofuran in December 2010, placing it on his farm as bait to eliminate perceived predators of his chickens. This practice constitutes a clear violation of federal regulations governing pesticide use, as all carbofuran packaging includes strict restrictions against such applications. The poisoned bait proved fatal not only to the intended targets but also to non-target species, including a Northern Harrier hawk, two coyotes, a neighbor’s dog, and a skunk.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) initiated the investigation after receiving reports of animal deaths. Subsequent laboratory analysis of the Northern Harrier hawk, a protected species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, confirmed the presence of lethal levels of carbofuran in its system, directly linking its death to Parawan’s actions. The FWS collaborated with the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID), the Bedford County Sheriff’s Department, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture in building the case against Parawan.

Parawan was initially charged in August 2011 with one count of violating the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) – specifically 7 U.S.C. 136j(a)(2)(G) for misusing a registered pesticide – and one count of violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703) for the unlawful killing of the hawk. He faced a maximum sentence of six months in prison for the bird violation and 30 days for the pesticide misuse, along with potential fines and supervised release. However, on January 30, 2012, Parawan received a lighter sentence of 24 months probation on each count to be served concurrently, 80 hours of community service, a $500 federal fine, and a $50 special assessment.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Lawrence C. Parawan, Jr.
Location: Wartrace, Bedford County, Tennessee
Crime: Illegal use of pesticide (Carbofuran/Furadan) leading to wildlife deaths.
Victims: Northern Harrier Hawk (protected), two coyotes, a dog, a skunk, and other animals.
Laws Violated: 7 U.S.C. 136j(a)(2)(G) (FIFRA), 16 U.S.C. 703 (MBTA)
Sentence: 24 months probation (concurrent), 80 hours community service, $550 in fines.

U.S. Attorney Bill Killian emphasized the seriousness of the offense, stating that the intentional misuse of pesticides resulting in harm to protected wildlife is a significant crime. While the sentence handed down was less severe than the potential maximum, the case serves as a warning that federal authorities will pursue individuals who disregard environmental regulations and endanger protected species. The investigation highlights the importance of interagency cooperation in combating wildlife crimes and ensuring compliance with pesticide laws.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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