ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – Acting United States Attorney Kevin Feldis announced today that Alaska Big Game Guide Fred E. Sims, 48, of Anchorage, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Anchorage for two felony counts of violating the Lacey Act. The indictment was based on evidence that Sims illegally killed moose to use as bait for brown bears, and then illegally guided brown bear hunting clients over the dead moose in 2007 and 2009.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Skrocki, the indictment alleges that in May 2007, Sims intentionally killed four moose to use as bait for a brown bear hunting client. The moose were taken out of season, the same day Sims was airborne, and were left to waste, all in violation of Alaska state law. The charges describe that Sims waited until a bear was feeding on two of the moose carcasses, and then brought a client to the site to kill the bear.

The indictment also alleges that in May 2009, Sims intentionally killed two moose to use as bait for a bear hunting client. The moose were taken out of season, the same day Sims was airborne, and were left to waste, all in violation of Alaska state law. The indictment describes that Sims waited until a bear was feeding on one of the carcasses, a pregnant cow moose, and then brought a client to the site to kill the bear.

The maximum penalty for a violation of the Lacey Act is five years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Mr. Feldis commends the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement and the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for their work in the investigation of this case.

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