New Zealand Fishing Company Indicted for Enviromental Crimes and Obstruction of Justice

WASHINGTON – A federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., has returned a seven-count indictment charging Sanford Ltd. with violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS), conspiracy and obstruction of justice, announced Assistant Attorney General Ignacia S. Moreno and United States Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr.

Sanford Ltd. is a New Zealand based company that operates the Fishing Vessel (F/V) San Nikunau, a vessel that routinely delivers tuna to a cannery in American Samoa.   The indictment describes a conspiracy where the crew of the vessel routinely discharged oily bilge waste from the vessel directly into the sea during its fishing voyages since at least 2007.   Sanford Ltd. was also charged with violating the APPS for failing to accurately maintain an oil record book for the vessel and with obstruction of justice for presenting false documents and deceiving the Coast Guard during an inspection.  

If convicted, Sanford Ltd. could be fined up to $500,000 per count or twice the gross gain or loss that resulted from the criminal conduct.   The indictment also seeks criminal forfeiture from Sanford Ltd. of more than $24 million for proceeds derived by Sanford Ltd. as a result of the criminal conduct.  

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard.   The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia and by the Environmental Crimes Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice.

Internet Safety: Cyberbullying, Sexting and Social Networks

The December 1, 2011, episode of American Heroes Radio features a conversation with Detective Keith Dunn on Internet Safety: Cyberbullying, Sexting and Social Networks.

Program Date: December 1, 2011
Program Time: 1500 hours, PACIFIC
Topic: Internet Safety: Cyberbullying, Sexting and Social Networks
Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lawenforcement/2011/12/01/internet-safety-cyberbullying-sexting-and-social-networks

About the Guest
Keith Dunn, KDCOP, has been warning and training parents, teachers, law enforcement and other community organizations nationwide about online dangers since 1999. KDCOP has worked closely with Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement as well as public and private investigative teams along the East Coast.

Keith has his degree in Criminal Justice and Computer Forensics. As a former member of the United States Air Force, Keith represented his Country during Operation Desert Storm. During his tour on active duty, Keith performed as a singer and dancer for “Tops in Blue”, a USO type military performing group started and operated by Bob Hope. After an honorable discharge from the Air Force in 1997 Keith immediately became a Police Officer for a local department. In 1999 Keith received a position as a Detective for the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office as an active member of the National Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Thanks to being proactively involved in the arrest and prosecution of internet predators and internet offenders, Keith began speaking on National TV and Radio. Keith still has time to appear for speaking engagements and has been seen on many shows like CNN with Paula Zauhn, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, NBC, The Montel Williams Show and has worked with the production staff for the Judge Hatchett Show and Maury Povich Show. Keith has talked to over 50,000 students and 10,000 parents around the Country and has recently partnered with DARE NJ as their internet safety expert and trains all NJ DARE Officers about internet crimes.

Keith has been involved with or trained with nationally accredited organizations such as the FBI, Police Training Commission, and the FBI Crimes Against Children Unit — Online Child Pornography/Child Sexual Exploitation. He also attended the Online Crimes Against Children Unit Commander Course and was certified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

KDCOP FOUNDATION
The KDCOP Foundation, a NJ Nonprofit Corporation, was created to provide little or no cost cyber safe assemblies to schools in order to keep their students safe in the digital world. The foundation brings together some of the greatest minds when developing cyber safety curriculum and then executes a dynamic, interactive, educational and inspirational school assembly. The mission of the KDCOP Foundation is to procure sponsorship and grant money to limit the financial stress that already plagues our school systems in order to perform assemblies at every school across the country.

About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, law enforcement technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in law enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lawenforcement/2011/12/01/internet-safety-cyberbullying-sexting-and-social-networks

Listen from the Archive:
http://www.hitechcj.com/americanheroesradio/internet_safety_cyberbullying_sexting_social_networks.html

Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530

Blog Entry:
http://criminal-justice-online.blogspot.com/2011/11/internet-safety-cyberbullying-sexting.html

Facebook Event:
http://www.facebook.com/events/193327700749585

LinkedIn Event:
http://linkd.in/vNdXau

Hunter Admits to Killing Forest Service Officer

Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney, for the Middle District of Georgia, announced that Norman Clinton Hale, age 42, a resident of McDonough, Georgia, entered a plea of guilty before the Honorable Marc T. Treadwell, United States District Judge in Macon on November 18, 2011. Hale entered a plea of guilty to killing a federal officer (involuntary manslaughter), discharging a firearm in a developed recreation site, and hindering communication to a law enforcement officer. Hale faces a maximum sentence of eight years’ imprisonment for the offense of involuntary manslaughter and a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment for hindering communication to a law enforcement officer. Discharging a firearm in a developed recreation site is a misdemeanor offense. Sentencing will be scheduled by the court in mid-March, 2012.

On March 5, 2010, United States Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer Christopher Upton was located at the Ocmulgee Bluff Equestrian Trailhead in the Oconee National Forest, Jasper County, Georgia. Officer Upton was located on Forest Service property conducting surveillance to determine if individuals were violating the law or damaging Forest Service property or land.

Sometime after 9:45 p.m. on March 5, 2010, Norman Clinton Hale and others arrived at the Ocmulgee Bluff Equestrian Trailhead for the purpose of coyote hunting. Hale was armed with a Remington 700 bolt action .223 caliber rifle which was fitted with a night vision scope. Hale climbed into the bed of his pickup truck and started hunting in Trailhead, which is a developed recreation site.

During the hunt, Hale claimed he saw “bright eyes” and fired his rifle. After firing his rifle, Hale instructed another person to go out to the location toward which he, Hale, had fired. This person observed that a human being, later identified as Officer Upton, had been shot by Hale. Despite being in possession of cell phones, no one at the scene immediately called 911 or rendered any aid to Officer Upton.

After over an hour had passed, 911 was finally called. By the time emergency services arrived at the scene, Officer Upton was dead.

Hale and others were interviewed by law enforcement officers. At the scene and in a later interview, Hale failed to communicate to law enforcement officers that other witnesses were present at the time of the shooting who might incriminate him.

United States Attorney Michael J. Moore stated, “This case is uniquely tragic. It is inconceivable that Forest Service Officer Chris Upton was left to die, without any aid or comfort being offered by Mr. Hale. We are talking about a human being, a husband, a son and father. The failure to immediately call for help or render aid in these circumstances is inexcusable.”

The case was investigated by the United States Forest Service, Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol and supported by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael T. Solis.

Questions concerning this case should be directed to Sue McKinney, Public Affairs Specialist, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2602.

Manifested Rug was a “Croc”

Houston CBP Officers Seize Crocodile Skin Stitched Rug

Houston — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to George Bush Intercontinental Airport’s Air Cargo division seized a rug stitched with crocodile skin earlier this month.

A rug stitched with crocodile skin was seized by CBP officers assigned to George Bush's Intercontinental Airport's Air Cargo Division. Crocodiles are an endangered species and the importation of their skins or leather is prohibited.

The shipment, which arrived from Lagos, Nigeria, was selected for inspection by CBP officers. During the inspection officers discovered the rug and one other animal skin. CBP officers referred the rug to US Fish & Wildlife for further examination, and they determined the reptile stitch pattern was in fact crocodile skin.

“Our officers’ vigilance while performing their duties outlines the broad scope of the enforcement responsibilities that CBP employees carry out on a daily basis,” said Houston Director of Field Operations Judson W. Murdock, II. “This seizure is an excellent example of interagency collaboration between federal agencies whose common goals help to protect the public and wildlife.”

Crocodiles are an endangered species and the importation of their skins or leather is prohibited. The rug was turned over to U.S. Fish and Wildlife for final disposition.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Border Patrol Agent Captures Red-Tail Boa Constrictor

La Paloma, Texas ─ While working near the Rio Grande today, a U.S. Border Patrol agent captured a six-foot long snake that is not native to the region.

The red-tail Boa constrictor was found near Cemetery Road and the levee while the agent was on patrol. Knowing that the snake was not indigenous to the area and that it could pose a danger to people in the area, the agent caught it and took it to the Harlingen Border Patrol Station.

The Boa was later turned over to Gilbert Martinez, a US Fish and Wildlife Service park ranger from the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, who said the snake was probably released into the wild due to its size. 

 “We really appreciate Border Patrol’s efforts in capturing this Boa. It could have been dangerous for people and wildlife alike,” Martinez said. “People who release their pets on a National Wildlife Refuge are not only committing a crime, they are disturbing the balance of the ecosystem. South Texas’ wildlife isn’t adapted to exotic species like Boa constrictors and they can’t always defend themselves.”

“As Border Patrol agents we have a mission to protect this nation from all threats,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Woody Lee. “While capturing snakes isn’t one of our typical duties, this Boa constrictor posed a threat to the safety of the people we protect. Thanks to the quick-thinking agent and the assistance of the park ranger, this snake was unable to cause harm to anyone.”

To report suspicious activity, call the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector’s toll-free telephone number at (800)-863-9382.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking in Illegally-Imported Sperm Whale Teeth

Crimes against endangered animals are one of several types of crimes against our environment.  Check out these Fish & Wildlife Service books written by law enforcement officers with experience in the outdoors.

WASHINGTON – Richard M. Ertel, of Spotsylvania, Va., pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Va., to the illegal importation and illegal trafficking of sperm whale teeth, the Department of Justice announced.  

Ertel pleaded guilty to two felony violations of the Lacey Act for trading in endangered marine mammal parts.   Sperm whales are classified as “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and are listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.  It is illegal to import parts of sperm whale teeth into the United States without the requisite permits and certifications, and without declaring the merchandise at the time of importation to U.S. Customs and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Sperm whale teeth are commonly used for scrimshaw and can fetch large sums of money from collectors and tourists.  Scrimshaw, as defined by the ESA, is any art form which involves the substantial etching or engraving of designs upon, or the substantial carving of figures, patterns or designs from, any bone or tooth of any whale, dolphin or porpoise.  

As part of the plea, Ertel admitted that from April 2002 to June 2007, he was in the business of buying and selling sperm whale teeth that he purchased from sources in the Ukraine, and then sold to customers in Virginia and elsewhere in the United States.    He admitted to conducting much of his business via the Internet.      

As a result of the felony conviction, Ertel could be sentenced up to five years in prison and fined up to $250,000 for each count.   Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 9, 2012.

The case was investigated by agents from the Law Enforcement Offices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dave Maguire of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Gary N. Donner of the Environmental Crimes Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division at the Department of Justice.

Professional Illinois Duck Hunter Jeff Foiles Sentenced to More Than One Year in Jail and Fines for Illegal Hunting and Guiding Activities

More people hunt illegally than you know.  Read these environmental crime books and find out about these poachers.

WASHINGTON – Professional duck hunter and guide Jeffrey B. Foiles was sentenced today by a federal judge in Springfield, Ill., to 13 months in prison, the Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division announced.

Foiles, 54, of Pleasant Hill, Ill., pleaded guilty in June 2011 to one misdemeanor count of unlawful sale of wildlife in violation of the Lacey Act, as well as one misdemeanor count of unlawfully taking migratory game birds in violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.  At the same time, the company that operated Foiles’ hunting club, the Fallin’ Skies Strait Meat Duck Club LLC, located in Pike County, Ill., pleaded guilty to an information charging it with one felony count of unlawful sale of wildlife in violation of the Lacey Act and one felony count of making false writings in a matter within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

According to those plea agreements, between 2003 and 2007, Foiles sold and guided waterfowl hunts at the club for the purpose of illegally hunting ducks and geese in excess of hunters’ individual daily bag limits.  Guided hunters paid $250 per day for hunts at the club.  Foiles and others at the club also falsified hunting records in order to conceal the excesses.

In accordance with Foiles’ plea agreement filed in June and accepted by the court today, U.S. Magistrate Judge Byron G. Cudmore sentenced Foiles to 13 months in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release during which time he may not hunt or guide hunters, and to pay a $100,000 fine.  As a further term of his plea agreement, Foiles has also agreed to one additional year, following completion of his term of supervised release, during which he will not hunt or guide.  Foiles was ordered to self report to begin serving his sentence on November 21, 2011.

A separate sentencing hearing for Fallin’ Skies Strait Meat Duck Club LLC is scheduled for Dec. 20, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Richard Mills.

Foiles pleaded guilty to separate hunting-related wildlife charges in Canada on Sept. 14, 2011.   The Canadian court has taken the plea under advisement and is expected to decide soon whether to impose the fines and three-year hunting ban jointly recommended by the defense and Canadian prosecutors.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and the government of Canada.  The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois and the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division.

Louisiana Brothers Plead Guilty and Are Sentenced for Knowingly Killing Protected Alligators

Alligator Guides Fined And Prohibited From Hunting Alligators For Three Years

WASHINGTON— Two Louisiana brothers  pleaded guilty today and were sentenced in U.S. District Court in Baton Rouge, La., for  Lacey Act violations for their role in illegally killing American Alligators in violation of the federal Endangered Species Act and Louisiana law, the Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division announced. 

According to statements made in court, in October 2005 and in September 2006, Clint Martinez, 44, a licensed alligator hunter, and his brother, Michael Martinez, 47, a licensed alligator helper, guided out-of-state alligator sport hunters who were clients of an outfitter, to areas for which they did not have appropriate state authorization to hunt.  In October 2005, the sport hunter clients killed a 10 foot, two-inch trophy-sized alligator.  In September 2006, the sport hunter clients killed a 10 foot trophy-sized alligator and a 12 foot, six-inch trophy-sized alligator.

The Martinez brothers, both of Plaquemine, La., were sentenced to serve a three year term of probation during which they will be prohibited from hunting as follows: for one year of the probation the defendants will be prohibited from engaging worldwide in all hunting activities, including guiding, with any kind of weapon; for the remaining two years of probation the defendants will be prohibited from engaging worldwide in all commercial alligator hunting activities, including guiding.  In addition, each defendant will pay a $5,000 fine, serve 200 hours of community service, and publish a statement in a newspaper setting forth a brief summary of the offense and its potential penalties, and apologizing for their illegal conduct.

American Alligator hunting is a regulated commercial activity in the state of Louisiana due to severe over-hunting up until the 1960’s, resulting in a drastic population decline.  Specifically, the Endangered Species Act prohibits the taking of wild American Alligators unless in compliance with Louisiana’s laws and regulations.  Louisiana law requires hunters and helpers to hunt only on property for which alligator tags are issued by the state.  Each tag specifies an area where alligator hunting is to occur.  By law, licensed hunters and helpers are expected to know what the licensed alligator hunter’s hide tags provide, and hunt only in the area specified for each tag.  It is illegal to kill an alligator in an area for which the licensed hunter or helper does not have appropriate hide tags.  These regulations setting limitations on alligator hunting have allowed for the alligator population levels in Louisiana to rebound to sustainable levels.   

In addition to being listed as a threatened species on the U.S. list of Threatened and Endangered Species, the American alligator also is listed as a crocodilian species on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).  To better regulate trade in crocodilian species, the parties to CITES agreed to a program of requiring a uniquely numbered tag to be inserted into the skin of each animal immediately after it is killed.  The tag is to remain with the skin as it travels in interstate or international commerce until it is manufactured into a final consumer product.  The secretary of the Interior promulgated special rules for American alligators that implement the CITES tagging program and regulate the harvest of alligators within the United States. 

The case is being prosecuted by Shennie Patel and Susan Park of the Environmental Crimes Section of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.  The case was investigated by the Law Enforcement Division of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement. 

NAS JAX Game Warden Educates Sportsman

By Yeoman 3rd Class Timothy Daughton, Navy Region Southeast Public Affairs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- A brutal killing early in 2010 caught the attention of several service members aboard Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS JAX). Helpless, they watched three coyotes break the neck of a doe during a noontime attack.

The coyotes were just one of various species of potentially dangerous wildlife on NAS JAX. Thankfully, base residents have someone they can trust to educate them, and in turn, protect them from potential dangers while engaging in outdoor activities.

Since 2009, Federal Game Warden Lt. Ostell Hargrove has committed himself to educating service members on NAS JAX about potential dangers, and the policies they are required to follow when hunting or fishing on base. This includes posting signs alerting pedestrians of the wildlife native to the area, said Hargrove.

As game warden, Hargrove's responsibilities include the removal of pests or dangerous wildlife from the base and ensuring all state policies are followed. He also is responsible for making sure all non-game wildlife, such as tortoises, bears, alligators and fox squirrels are not taken or harassed.

"The biggest violations I come across everyday are people not knowing they need a license to fish on base. During my first week as game warden, I issued 27 citation warnings for failure to have a license while fishing, and personally followed up on each case to make sure those issues were resolved," Hargrove said.

"After the absence of a game warden on base for four years, he came in and implemented a system that puts safety first," NAS JAX Chief of Police Randy Gommer said.

Hargrove contributed to revisions to the NAS JAX instruction 5090.10E, which outlines base hunting and fishing regulations. The changes included a daily game warden report, which documents wildlife movement and up-to-date violations. NAS JAX is required to abide by state and federal hunting and fishing regulations and to coordinate with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for the most up to date provisions.

"I have worked at NAS JAX for 15 years, and since Lt. Hargrove has been the game warden, the hunting and fishing program on base has gone from almost nonexistent to a flawlessly-ran operation. I can confidently say he is directly responsible for the program's overall success," Gommer said.

According to Hargrove, working as NAS JAX game warden is not just a job, because he truly enjoys what he does.

"I am strict when it comes to policy and safety procedures, and I believe that human life is more important than recreational sport," he said. He is grateful for the opportunity he has been given to prove himself as the game warden.

Hunting and fishing licenses are available at the Mulberry Cove Marina. The Marina is open Monday and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Fishing licenses are $17.50 for salt or fresh water and $33 for the combination package with military I.D. and valid driver's license. Hunting licenses are $20 with military I.D., driver's license and NAS JAX hunting orientation course certificate of completion. Authorized places to fish on base include Fisherman's Cove, Admiral's Cove, and Turtle Pond.

More information regarding authorized places to fish on base can be obtained by calling the Mulberry Cove Marina.

Bearkiller

D. J. Stephens (Author)

Do you believe in reincarnation? On a solo elk hunt in the Rocky Mountains, Jeff Barkil discovers something very peculiar. Although he’s never even seen this place before, he seems to know all the landmarks. Somehow he’s able to guess exactly what is in the next valley or over the next hill. Dismissing these amazing perceptions as a fluke, he carries on with his hunt — until he is attacked by a vicious grizzly. Using a great deal of natural skill and determination, Barkil manages to kill the bear and survive. But he is badly injured; he feels close to death. While he is trying to clear his head, he discovers that he has traveled two hundred years back in time and a hunting party of Blackfoot Indians has taken him to their village to honor him for his bravery. Soon he is regarded as a splendid warrior and is given the name Bearkiller. In the boy’s subsequent adventures, stealing horses, and waging war against the Shoshone and the Sioux, he encounters and learns the landmarks he will recognize over two hundred years later as Jeff Barkil. The life of an Indian in the 1780’s was often brief. One day in a fierce battle, the old grizzly wounds are reopened and he is defeated. With blood pouring out of his body, Bearkiller lies down to die and wakes up in a Forest Service rescue helicopter as Jeff Barkil. As the events of his life as an Indian slip rapidly from his mind, Jeff Barkil wonders if what he experienced was real. Was he dreaming? Or was he reliving a past life? What will always remain clear is the image of a great grizzly standing over him, looking down at him as if from the top of a mountain, seeming to know his soul, somehow communicating to him without saying the words: “Until we meet again, Bearkiller.”

About the Author

D. J. (Don) Stephens lives in a NW suburb of Chicago with his wife of nearly forty years. Don spent ten years serving in the U.S. Army, during which time he was a member of a Division Rifle Team and Parachuted for a Post Skydiving Team. He has been in the computer industry doing everything from programming to company President since leaving the service. Don writes as a hobby and for relaxation. DEATH RIDER is Don s third novel. He also has some short stories published on the Amazon Shorts Program.

Alabama Man Indicted for Lacey Act Wildlife Crimes

WASHINGTON – A Scottsboro, Ala., man was indicted today for the illegal possession, transportation and sale of protected reptiles in violation of the Lacey Act, announced Ignacia S. Moreno Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’ s Environmental & Natural Resources Division and Joyce White Vance, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama.

David Langella, 43, a resident of Scottsboro, traveled to Arizona for the past six years to hunt and capture Arizona state protected reptiles.   According to the felony and misdemeanor charges filed in federal court, Langella conspired with others to violate the Lacey Act, as well as   Arizona and Alabama state laws.   Langella transported some of the illegally captured reptiles back to Scottsboro for his own collection and some were distributed to others.   In addition, Langella provided guiding services to others for the capture of Arizona protected reptiles.  

According to the indictment filed in federal court:

In 2009, Langella traveled to Arizona where he provided guiding services to others for the capture of Gila monsters and Ridge nosed rattle snakes. Arizona state law prohibits the hunting and capture of both reptiles.

In 2009, Langella facilitated the transportation of non-indigenous poisonous reptiles into and out of Alabama in violation of Alabama law.

In 2009, Langella attempted to obstruct law enforcement officials in Alabama by concealing illegally obtained reptiles.

In 2006, Langella shipped illegally captured protected reptiles to Alabama using false shipping labels.

In 2008, Langella captures protected reptiles in Arizona and transported them back to Alabama in violation of Arizona and Alabama state laws.

The Lacey Act is a federal wildlife law which makes it unlawful to transport, sell, receive, acquire or purchase wildlife which was taken, transported, possessed or sold in violation of state, federal or Indian tribal laws or regulations.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation was conducted by agents with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, Special Operations Unit. The case is being prosecuted by the Office of U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance White, Northern District of Alabama, in conjunction with the Environmental Crimes Section of the U.S. Department of Justice, Environment and Natural Resources Division.

The Chefs of RodnReel.com: A Fishing and Hunting Camp Cookbook

Mike Lane (Author)

The master chefs of one of the Gulf Coast's most popular fishing and boating organizations have compiled their best recipes into one incredible collection. A game and fishing community that shares its passion as well as its meals, the more than 100 contributors have been fishing, hunting, and cooking their entire lives. From crabs to crawfish and doves to deer, the masterminds behind RodnReel.com reveal their secrets to preparing catches worthy of being served around the campfire.

About the Author

Mike Lane is the creator of the Web sites RodnReel.com and RodnGun.com, which were among the first fishing Web sites in the United States. Lane has explored the Gulf of Mexico to depths exceeding 7,000 feet as a ROV pilot. He is past vice president and current board member of the Louisiana Outdoors Writers Association and a member of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association. Laneís home overlooks the Mississippi River in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Two Texas Deer Hunters Indicted on Federal Charges of Violating Lacy Act

WICHITA, KS—Two Texas hunters have been indicted on federal poaching charges, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Justin Klein, 29, Center, Texas was indicted on three counts of transporting deer across state lines after the deer were illegally taken in Kansas. The indictment alleges the deer were taken in violation of Kansas hunting laws Nov. 1, 2006, and Nov. 1, 2007, in Comanche County, Kan.

Johnny Risinger, 43, Mt. Enterprise, Texas, was indicted on one count of transporting a deer across state lines after the deer was illegally taken in Kansas. The indictment alleges the deer was taken in violation of Kansas hunting laws on Dec. 1, 2005, in Comanche County, Kan.

Both men are charged under the Lacey Act, which is a federal law that makes it illegal to knowingly transport or sell in interstate commerce any wildlife taken or possessed in violation of state law or regulation.

The indictments are related to a federal investigation that led to the convictions of James Bobby Butler, Jr., and Marlin Jackson Butler on charges of conspiracy and interstate trafficking of game illegally taken in Kansas. James Butler was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison and Marlin Butler was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison. In the initial indictment against the Butlers, Klein and Risinger were identified by the initials JK and JR.

If convicted, Risinger and Klein face a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine up to $20,000 on each count. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster is prosecuting.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

A grand jury meeting in Wichita, Kan., also returned the following indictments:

Oscar Galindo, 40, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with one count of possession and use of false identification documents, two counts of aggravated identity theft and one count of making a false statement to an agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Jan. 7, 2011, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison without parole and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of possession false documents, a mandatory two years consecutive to other sentences on each count of aggravated identity theft and a maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of making a false statement.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.

Michael Scott Ramsey, 26, 1610 E. 7th, Hutchinson, Kan., is charged with two counts of threatening the life of the president of the United States. The crimes are alleged to have occurred July 1, 2009, and July 7, 2011, in Reno County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Secret Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.

Jane Doe, also known as Sarita Ceteno, also known as Sarita Gonzalez, 39, a citizen of Columbia who has been living in Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of possessing false identification documents, two counts of aggravated identity theft and one count on unlawful production of a Kansas driver’s license. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Oct. 23, 2009, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison without parole and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of possessing false documents, a mandatory two years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count of aggravated identity theft, and a maximum penalty of 15 years without parole and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of producing a false driver’s license. The Kansas Department of Revenue, Criminal Investigations and the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.

Anh Ngoc Dang, 34, is charged with one count unlawful production of a Kansas driver’s license and one count of aggravated identity theft. The crimes are alleged to have occurred March 22, 2007, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison without parole and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of unlawful production of an identification document and a mandatory two years and a fine up to $250,000 on the identity theft charge. The Kansas Department of Revenue and the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.

Robert D. Saiz, 34, is charged with failing to appear in federal court for sentencing. The indictment alleges he failed to appear Jan. 13, 2010, in federal court in Wichita. He had pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years, consecutive to the sentence on the original offense. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Marshals Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst is prosecuting.

Joey Johnson, 38, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, three counts of distributing crack cocaine, and one count of attempting to distribute crack cocaine. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in 2011 in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 10 years and not more than life and a fine up to $4 million on the conspiracy charge, a penalty of not less than five years and not more than 40 years on the count of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, and a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $1 million on each count of distributing crack cocaine.

The Wichita Police Department investigated. The U.S. Attorney’s office is prosecuting.

Samuel D. Holteen, 49, Goodland, Kan., is charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in 2011 and 2010 in Sherman County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. The U.S. Attorney’s office is prosecuting.

Gabriel Garcia-Mounivong, 32, is charged with making a false statement to the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The crime is alleged to have occurred Nov. 16, 2010, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

Right in Michigan's Grassroots: From the KKK to the Michigan Militia

JoEllen McNergney Vinyard (Author)

"A real contribution to Michigan history that gets to the root of the movements in twentieth-century American history that upon reflection can bring a certain discomfort and unease."

---Francis X. Blouin, Director of the Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan

Throughout the twentieth century, Michigan became home to nearly every political movement in America that emerged from the grassroots. Citizens organized on behalf of concerns on the "left," on the "right," and in the "middle of the road." Right in Michigan's Grassroots: From the KKK to the Michigan Militia is about the people who clashed with police, supported movements that others, then and later, would denounce as disgraceful---members of the Ku Klux Klan during the 1920s, the followers of Father Charles Coughlin in the 1930s, anti-Communists and the John Birch Society in the post–World War II era, and the members of the Michigan Militia who first appeared in the 1990s.

The book explores the complex historical circumstances in Michigan that prompted the emergence of these organizations and led everyday men and women to head off, despite ridicule or condemnation, with plans unsanctioned and tactics unorthodox, variously brandishing weapons of intimidation, discrimination, fearmongering, and terror. Drawing heavily on primary sources, including the organizations' files and interviews with some of their leaders and surviving members, JoEllen Vinyard provides a far more complete portrait of these well-known extremist groups than has ever been available.

Justice Department and EPA Officials Discuss Black Warrior River and Environmental Justice in Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM—The chief environmental enforcement official from the U.S. Department of Justice will visit Birmingham on Wednesday. Assistant Attorney General Ignacia S. Moreno will join U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance, EPA Regional Administrator Gwen Keyes Fleming, and Birmingham Division FBI Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Patrick Maley in meetings with federal enforcement partners and other stakeholders, including environmental organizations and community groups.

Among other meetings in Birmingham, Assistant Attorney General Moreno, U.S. Attorney Vance, EPA Regional Administrator Fleming and FBI SAC Maley will participate in a public listening session in Ensley to discuss environmental challenges, including issues affecting the Black Warrior River basin. State and local officials, including the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, have been invited to attend the listening session.

“The recent listing of the Black Warrior as one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers highlights the importance of and the need for federal enforcement actions within this watershed, which provides drinking water for much of northern Alabama,” U.S. Attorney Vance said. “We hope to hear the candid concerns of the community and develop a better understanding of environmental justice concerns within the watershed.”

“I look forward to meeting with our partners in law enforcement, and with those in the community to discuss the impact of pollution in Alabama and the critical importance of environmental protection,” said Assistant Attorney General Moreno. “By vigorously enforcing the nation’s environmental laws, we are protecting the air, water, land, and the wildlife that Alabamians enjoy, including in the Black Warrior watershed. More broadly, we are seeking to make environmental justice a reality by reaching out to communities and taking their concerns into account as we enforce the law.”

“EPA has a long and effective history of working in the Black Warrior Watershed to protect public health and the environment. We look forward to hearing directly from Alabamians on key environmental issues that impact the places where they live, work, play and learn, to ensure that all communities have a seat at the table,” said EPA Regional Administrator Fleming.

Assistant Attorney General Moreno leads the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. She is a leading practitioner in the field of environmental and natural resources law, with more than two decades of experience in both the public and private sectors.

Environmental justice is a major priority of the Department of Justice and the EPA, to provide all Americans—regardless of their race, ethnicity or income status—full protection under the nation’s environmental laws and protection from pollution, hazardous waste, and toxic substances.

The listening session will be held in Ensley, a western Birmingham neighborhood along Village Creek, a 44-mile waterway that runs from its headwaters in eastern Birmingham to the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River. Flooding and pollution for decades have plagued the creek and many inner-city residents who live near it.

The meeting is scheduled at 10 a.m. at the East Ensley Branch of the Birmingham Public Library, 900 14th St., Ensley. Take I-59/20 Exit 120 onto 20th St., Ensley, and turn right at Avenue I. Go six blocks to 14th Street. The library is on the corner.

The Best of Fishing, Hunting, Camping, and Boating in Missouri: Tips from an Outdoor Enthusiast

Charles J. Farmer (Author)

In The Best of Fishing, Hunting, Camping, and Boating in Missouri, Charlie Farmer, an avid outdoorsman and the author of Unspoiled Beauty: A Personal Guide to Missouri Wilderness, provides the reader with some excellent tips for making the most of the four major outdoor nature activities that are available in Missouri. He also shares many of the fascinating adventures he has had during a lifetime of participating in his favorite pastimes.

Fishing—Learn about Missouri’s premier fishing lakes; trout parks and their locations; how to catch bass and bluegill; fishing for muskies; the best time to fish; the right and wrong way to catch a fish; night fishing; which fishing lures work best; the proper fishing lines to use; tips for fishing with kids; and what to include in a tackle box.

Hunting—Learn the best locations for hunting; the optimal habitat for deer, turkey, and squirrels; the different species of ducks and geese and their characteristics; how to field dress birds and waterfowl; about hunting dogs and various hunting clubs; and read about the author’s hunting experiences, first with his dad and, later, with his own son.

Camping—Find out which camping companies are best and where the ultimate camping spots are located. Learn about camping checklists and safety tips; the history of camping equipment; sources for camping information; rules of public land; and camping in winter. Farmer also includes a listing of the national and state lands in Missouri and information on the recreational opportunities they offer.     

Boating—Discover the vital role that boats, canoes, and houseboats play in enhancing the splendor of the streams and lakes and learn boating safety tips. Read about Farmer’s own frightening experience on Table Rock Lake during a terrible storm.

Clearly written and very readable, The Best of Fishing, Hunting, Camping, and Boating in

Missouri is an informative and useful book for all of the outdoor-lovers in the Show-Me State and surrounding areas. 

Job Hunting for Dummies, 2nd Edition

Max Messmer (Author)

Whether you're a recent high school or college grad or an established workforce veteran, changing jobs can be a scary experience. Let Job Hunting For Dummies, 2nd Edition, be your guide to pushing your career forward. Author Max Messmer, Chairman and CEO of Robert Half International (the world's largest specialized staffing firm), has used his job search expertise to create this cutting-edge guide to job hunting. Messmer offers the kind of friendly advice and insider's tips that can enhance your job search from start to finish.

Get yourself off on the right foot. First, organize your supplies; then, organize your search. Target your search in the job market of your choice; then, give yourself the tools that you need in order to break in to that market. Find out what separates bad resumes from resumes that get results. Discover the secrets of drumming up job leads, from researching online to using your own networks or working with a recruiter. After you're in, you'll be ready to shine with Messmer's complete list of the do's and don'ts of giving great interviews; and you'll be confident when the interview ends, knowing that you possess the keys to successfully closing an interview.

Don't wait another day. Find the job you want with Job Hunting For Dummies, 2nd Edition.

Fishing: The Extra Edge

Hartt Wixom (Author)

Veteran author and angler Hartt Wixom makes the complex simple with Fishing: The Extra Edge, his fourth book on the art and science of angling. Featuring proven strategies and secrets, advice for hooking and landing, helps for young anglers, and tips on bait fishing, spin fishing, and fly-fishing, this must-have book will help you develop the heart of an angler as it simultaneously helps you think like a fish.

"My hope in sharing half a century of angling experience herein is to help the beginner avoid mistakes and to provide the expert with an ‘extra edge’ as well. The beauty of it is that there is so much to learn, especially in fly-fishing, which I have treated more fully. Veteran guides I’ve talked with admit that they are still learning. So are we all. Or we should be."

About the Author

Hartt Wixom has been writing about angling for more than four decades. During that time, he has had more than a hundred articles published on fishing in such magazines as Outdoor Life, Field and Stream (five years a field editor), Sports Afield, Western Outdoors, American Angler, Southwestern Fly Fishing, and Salmon-Trout-Steelheader.

On one fishing trip, he went from his home in Provo, Utah, to the Kenai tip of Alaska and back, fishing on his way as he went. He has traveled to the Northwest Territories of Canada five times to catch trophy fish, including the largest fly-caught grayling in the 1967 Field and Stream contest and a world-record (catch and release, six-pound line class) northern pike on a fly he tied himself.

He has been an outdoor writer and editor for several western newspapers, including three Utah dailies: Deseret Morning News, Daily Herald, and St. George Spectrum.

Hartt has received top outdoor writing awards for his tell-it-like-it-is journalism, including recognition from the North American Association for Conservation Information. Always concerned about the next generation of anglers, he and three other fishermen organized the first chapter of Trout Unlimited in Utah. In 1965, he served as the organization’s first president in Utah. One of his prime goals is to simplify angling and protect the resource for all to enjoy for years to come.

Hartt and his wife, Judene, live in Ivins, Utah, and Cokeville, Wyoming. They have seven children and nineteen grandchildren.

Fishing and Hunting Guide to Utah (Foundations of Archaeological Inquiry)

Hartt Wixom (Author)

Hartt Wixom, a Utah native and former outdoor writer for the Deseret News, field editor for Field and Stream magazine, and author of Elk and Elk Hunting, has completely rewritten and updated his sportsman’s guide to describe Utah in the 1990s.

From trout fishing to deer hunting, from the mountains to deserts, he describes the best locations, techniques, and trophy records.

Get the paperback edition for $9!

Hunting Black-Tailed Deer: An Oregon Perspective

Louis G. Terkla (Author)

This book is a comprehensive guide to black-tailed deer hunting, based on the author's 56 years of deer hunting experience. It provides valuable tips for both the novice and seasoned hunter by combining useful biological information and hunting strategies. The book unravels much of the mystery surrounding black-tailed deer from preparation for the hunt to enjoying venison on the table and would be a welcome addition to any hunter's library.

The Best Hunting Stories Ever Told (Best Stories Ever Told)

Jay Cassell (Editor), Thomas McIntyre (Introduction)

Top hunters and writers contribute to this exciting new adventure series!

Follow the trails of hunters—the original storytellers—as they interpret signs, examine tracks, and chase and catch their prey (or fail to). Readers can curl up with the best authentic hunting fiction and non-fiction, bringing the great Mount Kenya and the prairies of the American Bison into your living room. From Theodore Roosevelt and Gene Hill to Rick Bass and Charles Dickens, remember classic hunting tales and discover new stories of hunters’ luck, camaraderie, and use of smarts on the trail. The thrill of the chase and the passion for outdoor living are elegantly brought together in this exquisite volume, certain to delight both hunters and short-story aficionados.

With work by more than one hundred of the world’s most eminent authors and hunters, including:

Theodore Roosevelt

Zane Grey

Ted Nugent

Aldo Leopold

Rick Bass

Philip Caputo

Geoffrey Norman

Gene Hill

And many more!

100 black-and-white illustrations to enrich the literary experience