Kansas: Two more indicted in deer poaching case

Cases related to recent convictions originating in
Comanche County

Two Texas hunters have been indicted on federal poaching
charges, according to U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom. Justin Klein,
29, of Center, Texas, was indicted on three counts of transporting
deer across state lines after the deer were illegally taken in
Kansas. Johnny Risinger, 43, of Mt. Enterprise, Texas, was indicted
on one count of the same offense. The indictments allege the deer
were taken in violation of Kansas hunting laws in 2005, 2006, and
2007 in Comanche County, Kansas.

Both men are charged under the Lacey Act, which is a federal law
that makes it illegal to knowingly transport or sell in interstate
commerce any wildlife taken or possessed in violation of state law
or regulation.

The indictments are related to a federal investigation that led
to the convictions of James Bobby Butler, Jr., and Marlin Jackson
Butler on charges of conspiracy and interstate trafficking of game
illegally taken in Kansas. James Butler was sentenced to 41 months
in federal prison and Marlin Butler was sentenced to 27 months in
federal prison.

If convicted, Risinger and Klein face maximum penalties of five
years in federal prison and fines as much as $20,000 on each
count.