East Texan Sentenced for Negligent Transport of Wildlife

TYLER – A 32-year-old Cherokee County man has been sentenced for federal wildlife violations. Blake Powell pleaded guilty on December 12, 2011, to a three count Information charging him with negligent transportation of wildlife. Powell was sentenced Monday in Tyler to two years probation by U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie. Powell was also ordered to pay a fine of $243,000 to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Lacey Act Reward Account and $157,000 in community restitution to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. Additionally, Powell will be prohibited from participating in the deer breeding business during the term of his probation.

According to information presented in court, Powell owned and operated Rockin’ P White Tails, a high-fence deer breeding facility in Cherokee County. On three separate occasions, Powell transported and possessed illegally imported live whitetail deer valued at over $350. The fair market value of the illegally imported whitetail deer, including relevant conduct, exceeded approximately $208,500. Additionally, through the unlawful importation of whitetail deer, Powell accumulated whitetail deer semen valued at approximately $85,000 and progeny valued at approximately $172,500. Powell was required to forfeit the illegally derived deer semen to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.