Washington Hunter
Well-known member
March 30, 2006
A California hunter who illegally shot a buck mule deer in October 2004 has become the first person to be convicted of a felony in connection with poaching a big-game animal in Nevada, according to the Nevada Department of Wildlife.
Dominic Rigoli, 49, of Monterey Park, Calif., was sentenced in Lincoln County district court to 90-days in jail, a $5,500 fine, 50 hours of community service and loss of hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for three years. A prison sentence of 12 to 32 months was suspended.
The law under which Rigoli was convicted was passed by the Legislature three years ago, making poaching big-game animals a felony under certain circumstances. Prior to that, the most severe charge that a big game poacher faced was a gross misdemeanor.
According to the Nevada Department of Wildlife, Rigoli did not have a Nevada deer tag and there was no deer season in progress when he shot the buck deer.
Rob Buonamici, chief game warden with the department, said Rigoli and three other convictions were the result of a multi-year undercover investigation that involved California hunters with Utah tags who were hunting in Nevada. Rigoli shot the deer in Nevada and then attached a Utah hunting tag to the animal.
"He knew that he was hunting in Nevada, and we were able to show intent," Buonamici said. "This is why it was a felony."
Buonamici emphasized that one thing that is particularly important to hunters is that anyone convicted of a felony is not allowed to possess or own a firearm.
The three other individuals convicted as a result of the investigation were sentenced in Meadow Valley Justice Court.
Barry Charling, 33, of Paso Robles, Calif,. will pay $789 in fines and assessments for hunting during a closed season and hindering a game warden. Michael Caruana, 67, of Templeton, Calif., was fined $1,074 for hunting during a closed season and transfer of a big-game tag. David Rigoli, 53, of Paso Robles, Calif.. was assessed $1,170 for hunting during a closed season and failure to properly punch a big- game tag.
A California hunter who illegally shot a buck mule deer in October 2004 has become the first person to be convicted of a felony in connection with poaching a big-game animal in Nevada, according to the Nevada Department of Wildlife.
Dominic Rigoli, 49, of Monterey Park, Calif., was sentenced in Lincoln County district court to 90-days in jail, a $5,500 fine, 50 hours of community service and loss of hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for three years. A prison sentence of 12 to 32 months was suspended.
The law under which Rigoli was convicted was passed by the Legislature three years ago, making poaching big-game animals a felony under certain circumstances. Prior to that, the most severe charge that a big game poacher faced was a gross misdemeanor.
According to the Nevada Department of Wildlife, Rigoli did not have a Nevada deer tag and there was no deer season in progress when he shot the buck deer.
Rob Buonamici, chief game warden with the department, said Rigoli and three other convictions were the result of a multi-year undercover investigation that involved California hunters with Utah tags who were hunting in Nevada. Rigoli shot the deer in Nevada and then attached a Utah hunting tag to the animal.
"He knew that he was hunting in Nevada, and we were able to show intent," Buonamici said. "This is why it was a felony."
Buonamici emphasized that one thing that is particularly important to hunters is that anyone convicted of a felony is not allowed to possess or own a firearm.
The three other individuals convicted as a result of the investigation were sentenced in Meadow Valley Justice Court.
Barry Charling, 33, of Paso Robles, Calif,. will pay $789 in fines and assessments for hunting during a closed season and hindering a game warden. Michael Caruana, 67, of Templeton, Calif., was fined $1,074 for hunting during a closed season and transfer of a big-game tag. David Rigoli, 53, of Paso Robles, Calif.. was assessed $1,170 for hunting during a closed season and failure to properly punch a big- game tag.
