Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Suzanne Lewis announced today that two men from northwestern Wyoming were convicted in Yellowstone U.S. Magistrate's Court on March 03, 2004, for illegally shooting and killing three bull elk in a remote area inside Yellowstone's eastern boundary on October 01, 2003.

The investigation began as the result of observations made by law enforcement rangers on routine anti-poaching patrol. The ranger's initial observations lead to a three day investigation involving National Park Service Rangers and Special Agents, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agents, U.S. Forest Service officers and a National Park Service contract helicopter.

Jason Lee Christofferson, 29, of Ralston, Wyoming, and Dustin Gene Creed, 34, of Cody, Wyoming, were each convicted of three counts of violating the Lacey Act for illegally killing and moving the elk, and one count of illegally using a weapon inside of a national park.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen E. Cole ordered each man to pay $ 9,000 in restitution to the park for the destruction of the three elk, a $ 1,000 fine, and a $ 25 special assessment. In addition, the Judge imposed a 180-day suspended jail sentence, a ban from entering Yellowstone for three years, three years of federal probation, forfeiture of the rifles used in the crime, and a two year ban from possessing hunting and fishing licenses.

In a separate incident, two men from Three Forks, Montana, were convicted in Yellowstone U.S. Magistrate's Court on March 16, 2004, for illegally killing a bull elk along U.S. Highway 191 inside of Yellowstone National Park on November 28, 2003.

The investigation began after multiple citizens reported two men field dressing a bull elk alongside U.S. Highway 191 many miles inside Yellowstone National Park. A ranger who responded to the scene observed the two men dragging part of a trophy class, six-point bull elk toward their vehicle.

John T. Steeples, 23, of Three Forks, Montana, was convicted of one count of violating the Lacey Act for illegally killing and moving the elk and one count of illegally using a weapon inside of a national park. Charles S. Christensen, 45, of Three Forks, Montana, was convicted of one count of violating the Lacey Act.

U.S. Magistrate-Judge Stephen E. Cole ordered Mr. Steeples to pay $ 4,000 in restitution to the park for the destruction of the elk, a $ 2,000 fine, and a $ 25 special assessment. In addition, the Judge imposed a 180-suspended jail sentence, a ban from entering Yellowstone for two years, three years of federal probation, forfeiture of the rifle used in the crime, and a three year ban from possessing hunting and fishing licenses.

The Judge ordered Mr. Christensen to pay $ 4,000 in restitution, a $ 1,000 fine, and a $ 25 special assessment. Christensen was also given a 90-day suspended jail sentence, banned from Yellowstone for two years, given three years of federal probation, and banned from hunting and fishing for three years.

Superintendent Lewis reminds all park visitors that disturbing, collecting and/or removal of natural features from national parks are prohibited by law and subject to fines and/or jail. Those involved in illegal activities in Yellowstone will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Anyone who has information regarding poaching or other illegal activities occurring within Yellowstone National Park are strongly encouraged to contact the Yellowstone National Park Investigations Office at: 307-344-2120.

Information provided by the NPS