Cases related to recent convictions originating in Comanche County
WICHITA — 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.
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