Sidney R. Davis, 47, of Soda Springs, Idaho, pleaded guilty in federal court in Pocatello today to violating the Lacey Act by operating an unlicensed outfitting and guiding business and making a false declaration in a bankruptcy proceeding, announced U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson on behalf of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Idaho, the Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division, and the Office of the United States Trustee for the District of Idaho.

Each of those crimes carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The sentencing hearing has been scheduled for August 3, 2011, before Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill in Pocatello.

Idaho law requires that outfitters and guides maintain a valid license issued by the Idaho Outfitter's and Guide's Licensing Board (IOGLB). Davis, who has owned and operated the Trail Creek Lodge near Soda Springs, Idaho since approximately 1993, was once licensed as an outfitter and a guide. On July 26, 1996, the IOGLB revoked Davis' licenses after he admitted to violating Idaho outfitting and guiding regulations. On November 19, 1998, Davis was convicted of two Lacey Act violations based on his role in illegal hunts at the Trail Creek Lodge.

As part of today's plea, Davis admitted to guiding or outfitting a mule deer hunt between October 11-16, 2008, at the Trail Creek Lodge near Soda Springs. The hunters traveled from Nevada for the hunt on the understanding that they would receive outfitting and guiding services. Over the course of five days, both Davis and his employee Jeffrey J. Dickman, guided the hunters into the field at various locations on both private and public land. During the hunt, one of the hunters killed a mule deer while being guided by Dickman. After the deer was killed, Davis and Dickman arranged to have the meat from that deer transported to the hunters in Nevada. Davis outfitted and guided the hunters, and instructed Dickman to guide the hunters, even though Davis knew that neither he nor Dickman possessed a valid Idaho license to perform these tasks. Dickman, of Islamorada, Florida, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge for his role in the October 11-16, 2008, Lacey Act offense.

As part of his plea, Davis also admitted that he falsely omitted certain material information from the Chapter 7 bankruptcy that he filed on Oct. 14, 2005. Specifically, Davis admitted that he did not inform the bankruptcy trustee: (1) that certain creditors had claims against him on the date he filed bankruptcy, (2) that he transferred twenty-one acres of real property within a year of filing for bankruptcy, (3) that he served as an officer, director and managing executive of Trail Creek Lodge, Inc. within six years of filing for bankruptcy. Davis formed, and has served as president of, that corporation since August 30, 2000.

“Sid Davis sought to continue making profit from work as a hunting guide despite the fact that he knew he no longer held a license,” said Olson. “And he sought to keep those profits at the expense of his creditors by making a false statement in his bankruptcy proceedings. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the Office of the United States Trustee conducted an outstanding investigation that brought about today's plea.”

The case was investigated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, with assistance from the Office of the United States Trustee.