Mississippi man kills bear, faces $450,000 fine & 6 year

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George Co. man accused of killing black bear

By Kathleen Baydala • The Clarion-Ledger • June 4, 2008
A George County man will appear in federal court today after being arrested Tuesday night on charges that he killed an endangered black bear.

Darryl Eubanks was seized by agents from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, according to statement released today by the Southern District of Mississippi U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The indictments against Eubanks state he violated the Endangered Species Act by killing the bear. They also state he transported the bear in violation of the Lacey Act, gave false statements to federal agents and tampered with a material witness.

“In January of 2008, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received information that a black bear carcass had been found in Perry County,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Eubanks is scheduled to appear this afternoon in U.S. Magistrate Mike Parker’s courtroom in Hattiesburg for his arraignment.

If convicted of all charges, Eubanks could face up to six years in prison and $450,000 in fines, the statement says.

The black bear was given statewide protection in 1932 because less than 12 remained in the state, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Sixty years later, the black bear was declared as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act.

[Emily]

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Man charged with killing black bear released on bond

From staff reports • June 4, 2008

A George County man who is charged with killing an endangered black bear was released on bond today.
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U.S. Magistrate Mike Parker agreed to release Darryl Eubanks from the Forrest County jail on a $2,500 bond. Eubanks was ordered to not possess any firearms or engage in activities that require guns, such as hunting.

Eubanks was apprehended by agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, according to statement released today by the Southern District of Mississippi U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The indictments against Eubanks state he violated the Endangered Species Act by killing the bear. They also state he transported the bear in violation of the Lacey Act, gave false statements to federal agents and tampered with a material witness.

Parker set Eubanks’ arraignment hearing for 1:30 p.m. Monday at federal court.