On Thursday, the Attorney General of Arizona, Kris Mayes, made the announcement that a grand jury had handed down an indictment against fourteen individuals for several offenses relating to the criminal activity of poaching wildlife in the state.
A thirty-count indictment against the poachers was announced on Thursday by the office of the attorney general. The indictment accuses the poachers of committing crimes relating to wildlife that is protected by state law, including theft, unlawful enterprise, conspiracy, and animal cruelty.
Bighorn sheep, elk, pronghorn antelope, deer, javelina, and turkey are among the animals that were illegally poached between the years 2018 and 2021, according to the indictment.
Wildlife is one of the most valuable natural resources in Arizona, and poaching is a crime that takes it away! The practice of poaching makes it more difficult to efficiently manage species and the habitats to which they are exposed.
In a press release, the Arizona Attorney General’s office stated that this has a negative impact on the ability to enjoy the outdoors and lowers the number of possibilities to hunt and fish inside the state.
The counties of Maricopa, Yavapai, and Coconino are the locations where the alleged crimes were committed.
According to the prosecution, the conduct of the group led to a loss of more than two hundred thousand dollars for the state.
The defendants who have been named are as follows:
- Bu Reh
- Joseph Hee
- Neh Reh
- Nga Reh
- Pray Reh
- Ree Reh
- Simon C. Zam
- Tee Reh
- Ti Reh
- Young Bal Cangmah
Initially, it was not immediately evident why the names of four of the defendants were removed off the list.
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In count 30, which is a charge of cruelty to animals, Ree Ree and Tee Reh are accused of murdering a deer by hitting its head with a rock. This death is a count of cruelty to animals.
Operation Game Thief is a hotline that allows individuals to report any suspicious activity or information of a poaching violation. State officials would like to remind the general public about this hotline.
It is possible to contact the Hotline at any time by calling 1-800-352-0700 or by going to the website of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
The indictment was handed down less than a month after Game and Fish requested information regarding the illegal hunting of a mule deer buck that was located off of Hutton Ranch Road close to O’Neill Crater.
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The deer was reportedly shot and then left to suffer for a number of hours before wildlife inspectors arrived, according to the officials.