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Press Release

Brandon Man Pleads Guilty To Killing Federally Protected Black Bear

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Mississippi

Jackson, Miss. -- Ryan C. Murphy, 32, of Brandon, Mississippi, pled guilty in U.S. District Court today to killing a Louisiana Black Bear, a federally protected animal under the Endangered Species Act, U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis announced.


Murphy killed the Louisiana Black Bear while bow hunting on November 16, 2012, in Issaquena County, Mississippi. Murphy was immediately sentenced today by U.S. Magistrate Judge F. Keith Ball to a fine of $10,000. He was also ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution to the State of Mississippi and $5,000 to the BEaR Foundation, a non-profit foundation for the restoration of Black Bears in the State of Mississippi. Murphy was placed on two years of probation and prohibited from hunting worldwide for a period of two years. His bow was forfeited as part of his sentence.


This case was investigated by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks and the United States Federal Fish and Wildlife Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca.

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Updated January 7, 2015
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USAO - Mississippi, Southern