Arthur “Jack” Schubarth plead guilty to two felony wildlife crimes related to an almost decade-long scheme involving the creation of hybrid sheep for sale to captive hunting facilities, officials stated.
Schubarth, the owner of Sun River Enterprises LLC in Vaughn, Montana, conspired with others to breed a larger hybrid sheep species using genetic material from Marco Polo argali sheep imported from Kyrgyzstan.
These actions violated wildlife protection laws and endangered native sheep species in Montana, officials stated.
Schubarth’s efforts included creating a genetically pure male Marco Polo argali named “Montana Mountain King” through cloning techniques and using its semen to impregnate ewes of various species, resulting in prohibited hybrid animals, officials stated.
According to officials, Schubarth forged documents and sold genetic material to breeders in other states to facilitate this illegal operation.
Court documents also describe how Schubarth illegally obtained genetic material from wild-hunted Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in Montana.
Schubarth purchased parts of these wild-hunted sheep in violation of Montana law, which prohibits the sale of game animal parts within the state and the use of Montana game animals on alternative livestock ranches.
Schubarth transported and sold the bighorn parts in interstate commerce.
“This was an audacious scheme to create massive hybrid sheep species to be sold and hunted as trophies,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD).
“The kind of crime we uncovered here could threaten the integrity of our wildlife species in Montana,” said Ron Howell, Chief of Enforcement for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP). “This was a complex case and the partnership between us and U.S Fish and Wildlife Service was critical in solving it.”
The Lacey Act prohibits interstate trade in wildlife that has been taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of federal or state law.
The Lacey Act also prohibits the interstate sale of wildlife that has been falsely labeled. The Act is one of the most powerful tools the United States has to combat wildlife trafficking and prevent ecological invasion by injurious wildlife.
For each felony count, Schubarth faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Chief U.S. District Court Judge Brian M. Morris is scheduled to sentence Schubarth on July 11.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Montana FWP are investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Sarah M. Brown, Senior Trial Attorney Patrick M. Duggan of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Starnes for the District of Montana are prosecuting the case.