[birdman]

Grand Junction man sentenced for elk poaching

The Associated Press
Posted: 02/04/2009 09:30:11 AM MST
Updated: 02/04/2009 10:34:06 AM MST





GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—A Grand Junction man has been sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison for illegally killing a six-point trophy elk as a friend used vehicle headlights to spot the animal.


Twenty-eight-year-old Erik Ambriz learned his sentence Tuesday from Mesa County District Court Judge Brian Flynn, who called Ambriz a criminal that didn't respect the safety of humans.

Ambriz was sentenced on felony charges of possessing a weapon as a previous weapon offender and illegal sale of wildlife, and for misdemeanor use of artificial light while hunting.

Ambriz told an undercover Division of Wildlife officer he killed an elk the night of Oct. 14 near Mack. He'd purchased a big-game license for bull elk Oct. 13, but it wasn't valid until Oct. 18.
He apologized in court for his actions.

[birdman]

I know we had a conversation on this board earlier about poaching and punishments. This is another example of prison time in Colorado for people who think they're above the law.

[shortbus]

4.5 years is too much. Murderers and rapists aren't getting 4.5 years these days.

[oucorry]

That does seem like a long time.

[boltman13]

I disagree. That sorry A-hole is lucky I wasn't the judge. I would have sent him up as long as I could. Judge Flynn, whom I know, is a good man. This guy was also doing lots more, but pled guilty to only a part of his crimes. We have had and probably still have organized poaching rings here in western Colorado, and they have serious crimes to their dubious credit and continue to harm our game heards, not to feed their famalies, but for money. Hopefully this will send a serious message to them and when they are captured their punishment will be cominserat with their crime and this sentence..

[D Winkler]

Originally Posted by boltman13

I disagree. That sorry A-hole is lucky I wasn't the judge. I would have sent him up as long as I could. Judge Flynn, whom I know, is a good man. This guy was also doing lots more, but pled guilty to only a part of his crimes. We have had and probably still have organized poaching rings here in western Colorado, and they have serious crimes to their dubious credit and continue to harm our game heards, not to feed their famalies, but for money. Hopefully this will send a serious message to them and when they are captured their punishment will be cominserat with their crime and this sentence..

I see your point but 4.5 years was too long for this guy. He bought a tag. He just neglected to follow the guidlines for what date and time of day he could use it.

On a more serious note. I would love to see an organized poaching ring get hammered.

[thefallofman]

Sorry, but I think he deserves every day of being in prison. I have hunted for years and never even got to see an elk close enough to spotlite and kill.
So for all of those who have worn out 20 sets of hiking boots, thousands of dollars and worked hard for an elk, I think the judge was very, very nice to this guy.
He should do More Time.

And I do understand that there are rapists and murderers doing less time...but we are talking elk here dangit.

[D Winkler]

you're wrong, it's still too much

[boltman13]

This slob was guilty of far more than hunting out of season. He also was comitting a felony to even possess a firearm. Fortunately he will never again hunt in Colorado or any other compact state, that is once he gets out of the pen.

[shortbus]

Originally Posted by boltman13

This slob was guilty of far more than hunting out of season. He also was comitting a felony to even possess a firearm. Fortunately he will never again hunt in Colorado or any other compact state, that is once he gets out of the pen.

Going by what was in that article, the guy got too much time.

If there were prior arrests and convictions, etc. etc. then sure, 4.5 years might be fitting or even not enough.