Umatilla County Poaching Conviction First Under New Guidelines

A recent poaching conviction in Umatilla County is the first significant application of new sentencing guidelines established by the Oregon Legislature in 2018 creating stiffer penalties and allows prosecutors to elevate poaching crimes from a misdemeanor to a felony.  The Oregon State Police say 28-year-old Walker Erickson on Pendleton will pay $75,000 in fines and serve jail time after pleading guilty to 22 charges of killing numerous deer and elk near Pendleton in what officials called a wildlife crime spree.  It was prosecuted by Oregon Department of Justice Wildlife Anti-Poaching Resources Prosecutor Jay Hall.  Yvonne Shaw of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says Hall has experience with trying poaching cases, and his new position allows him to provide guidance to prosecutors and the OSP.  A new website, ProtectOregonsWildlife.com, features tips on how to recognize poaching and report it.

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