US attorneys have charged Paul Silvas of Nampa, Idaho, in a four-count indictment with multiple felony Lacey Act violations.
According to the indictment, Silvas violated the Lacey Act by illegally guiding and filing false state of Alaska Department of Fish and Game hunt records in order to conceal the illegal take of brown bears and to conceal illegally guided hunts, along with transporting illegally taken game across state lines.
The indictment alleges that, on September 5 and September 12, 2014, as well as September 25, 2013, Silvas knowingly guided illegal hunts within the Noatak National Preserve for other residents of Idaho that did not possess the appropriate permits.
In order to lawfully hunt brown bears within the Noatak National Preserve, a non-resident hunter would be required to have contracted with a licensed big game guide, possess the appropriate ADFG draw permits, and purchase the appropriate big game tags from ADFG. According to the indictment, Silvas was neither a licensed big game guide, nor did any of his clients possess the appropriate big game tags.
If convicted, Silvas faces a maximum of up to five years in prison and fines up to $250,000 for each count.
