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TUCSON, Ariz. – The Arizona Game and Fish Department recently concluded a two year investigation of four suspects involved in nine different poaching incidents in the Oracle, Mammoth, Globe and northern Pima County areas.
The charges included unlawful take, possession and transport of multiple deer as well as hunting license fraud, and resulted in $7,500 in criminal and civil fines, which includes a civil assessment of $4,500 for the loss of three deer, and two 10 year hunting license revocations.
Charged in the cases were Mario Barragan, Alfred Barragan, Pete Reynoso and Chelsea Hetrick. Charges against Reynoso and Hetrick were dropped in a plea deal.
Mario Barragan was involved in six different incidents, and was criminally fined $2,302 and civilly assessed $3,000 for the loss of two deer. In addition, his hunting license was revoked for 10 years.
Alfred Barragan was involved in three different incidents, and was criminally fined $741 and civilly assessed $1,500 for loss of one deer. In addition, his hunting license was revoked for 10 years.
“Poachers are not hunters, they are thieves stealing wildlife from the citizens of Arizona,” said Regional Supervisor Raul Vega of Game and Fish in Tucson. “We will investigate and prosecute these cases to the fullest extent of the law, regardless of how long it takes to close them.”
Individuals with information about wildlife violations are urged to call Operation Game Thief at 1-800-352-0700, 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week, anonymously if need be. Information may also be provided on-line at http://www.azgfd.gov/ogt_form.shtml.
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