Maryland Man And Woman Charged With Illegal Wildlife Offense

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Lone Wolf (formerly known as Jeffrey B. Myers), age 40, and Deborah Burnett, age 55, both of Havre de Grace, Maryland, were charged in separate criminal informations on August 30, 2018, for illegal possession of wildlife. 

According to U.S. Attorney David J. Freed, Wolf and Burnett were charged in one-count criminal informations with illegal receipt of wildlife parts.  The criminal informations allege that Wolf and Burnett bartered for and bought bald eagle parts, a great blue heron carcass and a snowy owl carcass in violation of the Lacey Act, which prohibits the sale and receipt of wildlife taken in violation of other laws, including the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Clancy is prosecuting the cases.

Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty under federal law for these Lacey Act charges is one-year imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs.  For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

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