If you think wildlife-law violations won’t land you in prison, think again. On Nov. 24, 2008, Federal District Judge Richard Schell in Plano, Texas, sentenced two men to prison terms for felony violations of the Lacey Act, which prohibits transportation of illegally captured or prohibited animals across state lines. Robert Eichenour, owner of Circle E Ranch in Grimes County, Texas, got 18 months in federal prison and a $50,000 fine. Brian Becker of Madelia, Minn., was sentenced to 33 months in a federal penitentiary.

The two men were caught Oct. 22, 2006, in a smuggling sting operation conducted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They were smuggling 14 whitetail bucks from Minnesota to Eichenour’s Texas ranch where investigators say they planned to sell hunts for the trophy deer. During a four-year period, Becker and Eichenour had smuggled in deer valued at $300,000.

“Texas game wardens and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents continue to work together to deter illegal trafficking in wildlife across our state and across America,” said Col. Peter Flores, TPWD Law Enforcement Division director. “The illegal trade may be perceived to be profitable for some, but the price to pay is high when they are caught, and we hope that this type of penalty will deter those who would engage in the illegal wildlife trade.”