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Bambiscam II
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Fourteen related charges will also be filed, Col. Simmons said. Using state and federal warrants, three vehicles were also seized during the operation Monday morning.
1st Sgt. T. B. Skeens, of the VSFs Luray office, said that the State Police were not directly involved in the investigation, but that he and six troopers supported the game enforcement agents in serving the warrants. A total of 45 law enforcement agents participated in Monday's operation.
Federal charges were filed under the Lacey Act, which makes the taking, transportation, sale or possession of any illegally taken wildlife a federal crime. The falsification of , documents relating to such wildlife, in coi\junction with its interstate transportation, is also a federal offense.
Conviction on the federal felony charges carries a possible five-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $20,000. The federal misdemeanor charges carry maximum sentences of one year in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Conviction on the state class 1 misdemeanors carries a maximum penalty of 12 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
“The federal charges carry so much heavier penalties •- larger fines - that we’ll take them to federal court just as quick as to state court,” Col. Simmons said.
Col. Simmons said that most of the individuals arrested Monday in Virginia had prior records of game law violations. This was confirmed by another participant in the investigation, who added that at least one of those arrested in Page County has a criminal record which includes numerous assault charges.
“The investigation is continuing,” Col. Simmons said, “and additional charges are expected to be . filed.”
Rappahannock Game Warden Jim Bankston added that “as a result of this operation, the sale and trafficking of illegal wildlife in Virginia and Rappahannock County should be slowed.”
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