Source: Office of United States Attorneys
DENVER – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Timothy Rawlings, 56, of Laveen, Arizona, was sentenced to twelve months in federal prison for a conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act, three years’ supervised release and $45,800.00 in restitution. His codefendant, Howard Wayne Rodarmel, 71, of Baca County, Colorado, was previously sentenced to three years’ probation, $9,164.00 in restitution, and a $2,000.00 fine. Enacted 125 years ago, the Lacey Act protects the nation’s wildlife resources by prohibiting wildlife violations that cross state or international borders.
According to the plea agreement, Rawlings—who owned and operated Old West Guides and Outfitters in Laveen, Arizona—provided outfitting, hunting, and guiding services to paying clients for various big game animals, to include deer, elk, mountain lions, and bears. Rawlings’ company was not licensed to provide these services in the state of Colorado.
Rawlings’ paid his codefendant, Howard Wayne Rodarmel, to provide unlicensed outfitting and guiding services to clients in Baca County, Colorado. Rawlings knowingly violated several hunting regulations, to include shooting from vehicles; chasing animals with vehicles; and hunting in unlicensed and/or unpermitted lands. He also failed to register taken animals, to include mountain lions, as required by Colorado regulations. During the investigation, Rawlings also unwittingly guided undercover agents on an illegal hunt and violated such regulations in their presence, according to the plea agreement.
Rawlings did all of this knowing that his clients resided almost exclusively outside of the state of Colorado, and that the animals taken would likely travel in interstate commerce. The Lacey Act prohibits, among other things, transporting wildlife that had been illegally taken under federal, state, tribal, or foreign law.
“Operating without proper licensing undermines wildlife conservation efforts and the integrity of our state’s hunting regulations,” said United States Attorney Peter McNeilly. “We will continue to hold accountable those who seek to profit by skirting the laws that protect Colorado’s natural resources and ensure fair access for all.”
“This was not a momentary lapse in judgment or isolated violation,” said Assistant Director Douglas Ault of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement. “For several years, Rawlings and his associates systematically violated Colorado’s hunting and guiding regulations, orchestrating illegal hunts, and facilitating the unlawful take, transport, and sale of big game across state lines for monetary financial gain. Their actions stripped wildlife from our landscapes and betrayed the foundational principles of ethical hunting. Violations like these erode public trust in licensed guides, undermine decades of conservation progress, and tarnish the legacy of fair-chase hunting that ethical sportsmen and women work hard to preserve. The Service is committed to working with our partners in Colorado to ensure that those who break the law are held accountable and that we protect the integrity of our natural resources.”
The defendants were sentenced by United States District Judge S. Kato Crews. The investigation was conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kurt Bohn.
Case Number: 24-cr-00117-SKC