SUNFLOWER COUNTY HUNTER SENTENCED

[Swamp Fox]

U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney
Northern District of Mississippi


SUNFLOWER COUNTY HUNTER SENTENCED FOR MIGRATORY BIRD VIOLATIONS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OXFORD, Miss. Felicia C. Adams, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, and Luis Santiago, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, announced that:

Roger D. Latham, 47, of Flowood, Mississippi, pled guilty on December 17, 2013, before United States Magistrate Judge David A. Sanders, in Aberdeen, Mississippi, to Taking Migratory Birds by the Aid of Bait. The guilty plea arose out of an investigation which determined that Latham was paying to have shelled corn placed on one or more duck impoundments in Sunflower County owned by Latham, for the purpose of attracting migratory birds for Latham to hunt. The specific charge to which Latham plead guilty pertained to a hunt on January 13, 2013, in which Latham was found hunting on one of his baited duck impoundments.

Following his guilty plea Latham was ordered to pay a fine of $5,000, including associated fees and court costs. Latham was further placed on probation for a period of two years, and, as a condition of his probation, Latham will be prohibited from hunting in any manner, anywhere in the world, during the course of his two-year probationary period.

“We are committed to working with Mississippi and its citizens to conserve and protect waterfowl and other wildlife,” said United States Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent in Charge Santiago. “Our collective efforts help ensure that these resources will be here for future generations of fair chase hunters and outdoor enthusiasts.”

This case was investigated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement and investigative support was granted by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks and the National Wildlife Refuge Division of Law Enforcement.

[davidees]

What gives US or State Govt the right to ban the man from hunting "anywhere in the world"? They don't have jurisdiction outside our borders.

[DoubleBandMS]

That's a good question DD, I've never heard of that. The guy sentenced owns Superior Pallet company and was the owner of a plane that crashed and killed a couple of men a year or so ago.

[novacaine]

That's a good question DD, I've never heard of that. The guy sentenced owns Superior Pallet company and was the owner of a plane that crashed and killed a couple of men a year or so ago.

I think the "world wide" restriction has been the norm as of late. I don't know the legal principle behind it but i dont see that as a bad thing necessarily.

[DoubleBandMS]

Me either, just odd and curious about the jurisdiction point David brought up. I've heard of guys that have been sentenced here going to Canada and Mexico to duck hunt while suspended.

[Wildfowler]

Isn't the worldwide thing voluntary to keep from having the entire book thrown at him?

[Hambone]

I haven't researched the point, but I think that a violation of the prohibition on worldwide hunting would constitute contempt of the District Court's sentence. It would be perfectly legal for the guy to hunt in another country - under that country's laws. The consequences would hit when and if the foreign hunt was brought before the U.S. judge.

[kb7722]

What gives US or State Govt the right to ban the man from hunting "anywhere in the world"? They don't have jurisdiction outside our borders.

Its probably more a probation requirement. They can't prevent him for hunting outside the US, but they can further deny him from hunting in the US if he chooses to not abide by the terms of the probation.

[davidees]

Just playing Devil's advocate here. I tend to question everything.

[CW]

Isn't the worldwide thing voluntary to keep from having the entire book thrown at him?

That is it exactly. He agreed to that. I do not think that could be imposed if he went to trial and was found guilty, but I assume that whatever the fines/penalties would be if found guilty would be worse, or at least makes that an option.

[booger]

Did it work?

I'd hate to be in a bind like that and never fire a shot.

[bmaskew04]

Did it work?

I'd hate to be in a bind like that and never fire a shot.

My thoughts exactly