Professional Hunter Violated Federal Probation

A professional hunter from Tennessee violated his federal probation and must spend a total of 30 days in Bureau of Prisons custody, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. O’Hara ruled that William “Spook” Spann , 50, Dickinson, violated the conditions of his release after his conviction for a misdemeanor Lacey Act violation in Kansas. O’Hara’s order states that Spann:

– Continues on probation until Feb. 28, 2016.

– Is ordered to spend a total of 30 days during nights and weekends in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons between now and Feb. 28, 2014.

– Is ordered not hunt anywhere in the United States or the world until Aug. 1, 2014.

Last year, Spann pleaded guilty to transporting across state lines a white-tailed deer that was unlawfully taken in Stafford County, Kan. As part of the probation he was prohibited from hunting for six months, admonished not to commit any further federal crimes and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and $10,000 restitution.

On June 10, the federal probation office in Kansas filed a petition alleging Spann violated his probation by hunting in Tennessee and violating a Tennessee law against baiting wildlife. O’Hara ruled that Spann violated the terms of his probation by hunting in the United States within six months of his sentencing and baiting turkeys in violation of Tennessee state law.

Grissom commended the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency and Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley for their work on the case.