Poaching Investigation Ends With 15 Year Sentence for Firearms Possession

Poaching Investigation Ends With 15 Year Sentence for Firearms Possession

SHERIDAN – What started out as an investigation of a deer poaching incident ended up with a Sheridan area man receiving a felony firearms possession conviction.

The illegal poaching investigation began with an anonymous tip to the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office and Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).

The Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office then contacted Wyoming Game & Fish Department Sheridan Regional Wildlife Investigator Scott Adell who obtained a search warrant from Sheridan Circuit Court Judge Shelley Cundiff for the Sheridan residence of Benjamin Medina.

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The search of the residence revealed that Medina was in possession of multiple parts from big game, small game, game birds, raptor feathers, and multiple firearms, including one firearm that had been reported stolen, a loaded handgun and a Bushmaster military style rifle. As a convicted felon from the state of Colorado, Medina was in violation of Federal law for possession of firearms. The seized firearms were subsequently transferred to a Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Investigator Adell said, “Mr. Medina took one buck mule deer after the season was closed, and an additional buck deer while trespassing. Medina had been reported to have been shooting multiple firearms near his residence near Sheridan during the previous year and was allegedly using controlled substances.” Medina told investigators the deer was not the only wildlife he had shot and killed within the past two years.

In February 2015 a warrant was issued for Medina’s arrest and in March he was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury. Federal authorities coordinated with the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office and Medina was arrested without incident. In May 2015 Medina pled guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of firearms.

On July 13, 2015 Benjamin Medina, age 58, originally from Brighton, CO was ordered to pay $500.00 in fines and was sentenced to be imprisoned for 15 years by the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson ordered Medina to successfully complete a 500 hour Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) program while imprisoned and refrain from using controlled substances. The RDAP is an intensive six month substance abuse rehabilitation program administered by the United States Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Upon release from prison, Medina will be required to complete a 60 month supervised probationary period.

The wildlife related charges were suspended after Medina was sentenced in federal court. An agreement was reached with Medina’s spouse to forfeit the poached deer heads and other wildlife related items to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Investigator Adell along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and ATF, worked with members of the public, and personnel from other agencies including the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office, Sheridan County Attorney’s Office, and Wyoming Game & Fish Department Wildlife Forensic Laboratory while conducting their investigation. Investigator Adell acknowledged that the successful prosecution would not have been possible without the cooperation of these agencies and Assistant U.S. Attorney, Stu Healy.

Adell added, “The justice system works when the citizens and local, state and federal governments work together to enforce laws and regulations for the protection of the public and the conservation of wildlife.”

Anyone witnessing a wildlife violation may call the Stop Poaching hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP (877 943-3847). Tips are most helpful when they are reported promptly and include information such as the date, time, location and specific details about the suspected violation. Additionally, a physical description of the suspected violator as well as a license plate number and description of any vehicles involved in the incident are very helpful.

Stop Poaching tips can also be reported on the Game and Fish Website. Tips may result in a reward and informants can chose to remain anonymous.