Meeker outfitter convicted of six Lacey Act violations

A Meeker outfitter was convicted last month in federal court in Denver of six felony violations of the Lacey Act.

Dennis Eugene Rodebaugh, 72, of Meeker, faces a stipulated maximum sentence of five years in prison for each felony conviction and up to a $250,000 fine, according to a Colorado Department of Justice news release.

According to the indictment, between 2002 and 2007 Rodebaugh, operator of D&S Guide and Outfitter, allegedly guided numerous out of state clients on multi-day big game hunts in the White River National Forest where deer and elk were allegedly shot from tree stands.

The stands were located in close proximity to where Rodebaugh annually placed each spring and summer hundreds of pounds of salt as bait.

The placement and use of bait to aid in the taking of big game animals is unlawful in the State of Colorado, the release states.

The interstate sale of big game outfitting and guiding services for the unlawful taking of big game with the aid of bait constitutes a felony violation of the Lacey Act, according to the release.

The case was investigated by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

J. Ronald Sutcliffe, senior trial attorney, and Mark Romley, trial attorney, of the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division, prosecuted Rodebaugh.

Rodebaugh awaits sentencing, but has agreed to forfeit two all terrain vehicles and a trailer used in the commission of the six Lacey Act crimes.

Joe Moylan can be reached at 875-1794 or jmoylan@craigdailypress.comJoe Moylan can be reached at 875-1794 or jmoylan@craigdailypress.comJoe Moylan can be reached at 875-1794 or jmoylan@craigdailypress.com