CRAIG, Colo. – For their participation in the illegal killing of multiple deer, three poachers from Craig are paying a price for the crimes, and for several other crimes related to the killing of the animals.
Wildlife officials began looking into this case in January of 2018 after receiving a tip from someone that had seen a dead deer in the back of a vehicle driven by a 17-year-old juvenile after deer hunting seasons had closed. As the investigation proceeded, CPW officers learned two other men were involved with the juvenile in various criminal activities, including poaching multiple deer, attempting to destroy evidence and a burglary case investigated by the Moffat County Sheriff’s Office.
“It appears they had killed quite a few deer over a long period of time, and if not for the tip it’s likely they would have continued to do so,” said District Wildlife Officer Johnathan Lambert of Craig, the lead investigator in the case. “Once again, this shows how critical the public’s help is when it comes to cases like this. We are always grateful when someone steps up and helps us out.”
In agreement with the 14th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in early October, the juvenile pleaded guilty to aggravated illegal take/possession of three or more big game animals and tampering with evidence, a class-six felony. He must serve an 18-month deferred adjudication, make a $2,000 donation to Operation Game Thief, complete 40 hours of community service and subject to the terms of his 18-month supervised probation period.
One of his accomplices, Levi Baysinger, 23, pleaded guilty in August to willful destruction of a big game animal, a class-five felony. He earned an 18-month deferred judgment and sentence for that crime. While working with CPW on poaching case, the Moffat County Sheriff’s Office tied Baysinger
