RTPROFamily Posted December 10, 2010 Report Share Posted December 10, 2010 This is all over our local news. By THE HERALD-WHIG STAFF SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- A federal grand jury in Springfield returned a 23-count felony indictment Thursday charging a Pleasant Hill man with conspiracy, wildlife trafficking and making false writings in connection with the illegal sale of guided waterfowl hunts. The indictment charges Jeffrey B. Foiles, 53, of Pleasant Hill, with conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act and the federal false writings statute, 12 substantive violations of the Lacey Act, and 10 counts of making false writings in a matter within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Lacey Act is a federal law that makes it illegal to knowingly transport or sell wildlife taken in violation of federal law or regulation. The act defines the sale of wildlife to include the sale of guiding services for the illegal taking of wildlife. The indictment alleges that from 2003 to 2007, Foiles conspired with others to knowingly transport and sell ducks and geese that had been hunted and killed in violation of federal laws protecting migratory birds. In particular, Foiles is alleged to have sold guided waterfowl hunts at the Fallin' Skies Strait Meat Duck Club in Pike County for the purpose of illegally hunting and killing ducks and geese in excess of hunters' individual daily bag limits. Foiles and his associates are also alleged to have falsified hunting records at the club to conceal the excesses, and also to have filmed the illegal hunts for inclusion in commercial hunting videos. The maximum penalty for a felony violation of the Lacey Act or the federal false writing statute includes up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The case was investigated by the U.S. Fish & amp; Wildlife Service, in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and the government of Canada. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of Illinois and the Justice Department's Environmental Crimes Section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted December 10, 2010 Report Share Posted December 10, 2010 i just wonder what gets into some folks. if he's guilty i hope they nail him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Team Realtree Posted December 10, 2010 Report Share Posted December 10, 2010 I've had some emails about this news so thought I would go ahead and post our official statement. Thanks for the heads up. S Please be aware that, as a matter of both personal conviction and corporate policy, we believe that game regulations should be followed to the letter of the law. We are watching the situation with Jeff Foiles closely, and will base our actions on the facts. We will make every effort to gather these facts as quickly as possible, but hope you understand that we must respect everyone's rights and will not simply react without sufficient cause. - Realtree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted December 10, 2010 Report Share Posted December 10, 2010 Innocent until proven guilty I think is what they say.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 At least that is how it is supposed to work.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 At least that is how it is supposed to work.... nope. it pretty much works that way. he's innocent now as he's not been found guilty. that's why i said "if he's guilty" ...etc. of course, if he's not found guilty he's been hurt anyway just by the accusation. let's all see how this plays out and support him in the meantime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted December 12, 2010 Report Share Posted December 12, 2010 No doubt he is innocent until proven guilty. Right now it is not looking good for him. Here is more to the story: http://www.sj-r.com/police/x1921993898/Fallin-Skies-duck-hunter-charged-with-waterfowl-violations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted December 12, 2010 Report Share Posted December 12, 2010 “The killing of migratory birds in excess of daily bag limits … was crucial to achieving these purposes,” the indictment says. “Not only were guided clients able to kill more birds during their paid hunts, but the overlimits also allowed Foiles and his employees to capture more and better-quality hunting video footage, and thus to produce and sell high-quality commercial waterfowl hunting videos, which was a very important component of Foiles’ promotional activities.” It's sad. I know the question has come up before. I'm not saying he is guilty, but I myself have viewed many “Fallin Skies” videos and have wondered myself (along with my hunting buddies) how many ducks and geese were actually shot and went down, according to the number of hunters present at the time, and according to the species of waterfowl shot. The courts will sort it all out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted December 15, 2010 Report Share Posted December 15, 2010 I read he and others have known about the allegations for over 2 years. Everybody around there has just been waiting for fed judge to approve the indictments. They have done their homework on Foiles and really put together an outstanding one-sided case. Looks like there is no getting away from this one. As for the property , it is listed on Mossy Oak's website as a turn-key operation for $1.499 mil . The other partner wants to get his share out of the establishment before the feds seize the property along with 13 shotguns , 2 arctic cats , and all their decoys ; i personally think it's pitiful that someone would go to these extremes to sell more vids,calls, whatever istead of just being satisfied with what was legal. Thought this was an interesting item from the official Indictment document, makes you question what was actually going on when the lanyards where stolen from their unlocked truck back in August 2010... 24. In or about the Fall of 2005, FOILES and T.M., B.R., and J.M. drove to a city park in Loveland, Colorado, after learning that numerous Canada geese with leg bands and neck collars where at the park. FOILES used bread to entice banded geese near his vehicle, shot the geese with a pellet gun, retrieved the geese, and removed their leg bands or neck collars. FOILES called this method of collecting goose bands "parking," and subsequently used the collected leg bands to decorate his duck and goose call lanyard, which he wore prominently on his commercial hunting videos to advertise his skill and experience as a migratory waterfowl hunter. Jeff Foiles an American Sportsman, respects the law relating to regulations of wildlife and hunting, and now faces an indictment (charges) accusing him of acting in violation of that respect. Jeff appreciates the patience and understanding of friends, sponsers and supporters. Because a court case is pending, His attorneys advise that He cannot comment on the indictment. Jeff, FMI, and Fallin Skies Duck Club would like to wish all of You a very Happy Holiday Season!! Thanks again and please PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS!! Jeff Foiles Good Huntin! These statements are from Jeff's website http://www.foilesstraitmeat.com/home Default Don't have time for this I appreciate all the support that many people are giving us, but seriously....quit posting the link, quit bringing it up.....what kind of statement do you really want from us?? Yes we've read it like the rest of the world....these accusations were no surprise....they've been there for the last 2 1/2 years, they just put them into a formal document....no one's been charged, convicted, nothings been taken away....he meets with them at the end of January as stated in the article.....nothing really else to say..... Go Hunting for Pete's sake! Last edited by foilee; Yesterday at 11:38 AM. Reason: added text Lisa Foiles Migrators Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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