Lone Wolf and Deborah Burnett, Wildlife Trafficking, Pennsylvania 2018

HARRISBURG, PA - In a shocking case of wildlife trafficking, a Maryland couple has been charged with receiving wildlife parts in Pennsylvania.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Lone Wolf, 40, and Deborah Burnett, 55, both of Havre de Grace, Maryland, were charged in separate criminal informations on August 30, 2018 for illegal possession of wildlife.

The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Clancy is prosecuting the cases.

Wolf and Burnett were charged with one-count criminal informations with illegal receipt of wildlife parts. The criminal informations allege that they bartered for and bought bald eagle parts, a great blue heron carcass, and a snowy owl carcass in violation of the Lacey Act, which prohibits the sale and receipt of wildlife taken in violation of other laws, including the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

The maximum penalty under federal law for these Lacey Act charges is one-year imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances, and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public, and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational, and medical needs.

Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa/pr/maryland-man-and-woman-charged-illegal-wildlife-offense