Virginia Man Sentenced for Ginseng Poaching at National Park

ABINGDON, Va. – Coby Brummett pleaded recently to unlawfully digging ginseng within the boundaries of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and was sentenced to 30 days of imprisonment.  

“Our national parks and the resources within, like Ginseng, are natural resources maintained for the benefit of all our citizens and not forms of currency to be poached and sold-off for profit,” Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee said today. “One of our core missions is to protect the resources and natural wonders that are found in abundance on the national park lands found in the Western District of Virginia and enjoyed by millions of visitors every year. This case is a warning to those who may try to use these resources for their own benefit.  I am grateful to the National Park Service for their diligence in keeping our national parks vibrant and safe.”

“Preserving natural and cultural resources like these on behalf of current and future generations of Americans is a central part of our mission,” said Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Superintendent Lisa Baldwin. “We are proud of the work of our staff and partners that led to this outcome.”

After a thorough investigation, rangers with the National Park Service determined that Brummett dug up over 300 Ginseng roots from within the confines of the park. 

Brummett was ordered to pay $6,240.25 in restitution to the National Park Service, and he is banned from the park for a period of three years.

The National Park Service investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Hall prosecuted the case for the United States.