Breaking News: 81-Year-Old Man Sentenced for Breeding Giant Hybrid Sheep for Hunting!
An 81-year-old man from Montana, Arthur “Jack” Schubarth, has been sentenced to six months in federal prison.
He was found guilty of illegally using tissue and testicles from large sheep hunted in Central Asia and the United States.
His goal was to create hybrid sheep for captive trophy hunting operations in Texas and Minnesota.
Judge Brian Morris of the U.S. District Court struggled with the sentencing decision.
While considering Schubarth’s advanced age and lack of a prior criminal record, the judge also wanted to send a clear message to deter others from attempting to “change the genetic makeup of creatures” on Earth.
In addition to the prison time, Schubarth was fined $20,000 and ordered to pay $4,000 to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
He will be allowed to report to a federal medical facility under the Bureau of Prisons for his sentence.
Before the sentencing, Schubarth expressed regret, telling the judge, “I will have to work the rest of my life to repair everything I’ve done.
” His attorney, Jason Holden, mentioned that the cloning endeavor had ruined Schubarth’s life, reputation, and family. “I think this has broken him,” Holden said.
Holden argued for a probationary sentence, describing Schubarth as a hardworking man who cared deeply for animals.
He emphasized that Schubarth achieved something unprecedented by cloning the giant Marco Polo sheep, which he named Montana Mountain King, or MMK.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has confiscated the animal. According to special agent Richard Bare, MMK is currently held in an accredited facility and will eventually be transferred to a zoo.
Sarah Brown, an attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, pushed for a prison sentence.
She stated that Schubarth’s illegal breeding operation was extensive, involving multiple states and posing risks to wildlife health.
She pointed out that the crime was premeditated, complex, and involved numerous illegal activities.
Schubarth owned Sun River Enterprises LLC, a 215-acre alternative livestock ranch.
The ranch specialized in buying, selling, and breeding animals like mountain sheep, goats, and other ungulates.
These animals were primarily sold to private hunting preserves where people could pay to hunt captive trophy game. Schubarth had been in the game farm business since 1987.
In March, Schubarth pleaded guilty to charges involving him and five others conspiring to use tissue from a Marco Polo sheep that was illegally brought into the U.S.
They aimed to clone the animal and use its offspring to create a larger, hybrid species of sheep. This new breed would be more valuable for captive hunting operations.
The Marco Polo sheep is the largest sheep species globally. They can weigh up to 300 pounds and have horns that curl up to five feet long.
These majestic animals are primarily found in mountainous regions of Central Asia, and hunting them is highly regulated due to conservation concerns.
The case highlights the ethical and legal issues surrounding cloning and genetic manipulation of wildlife for commercial purposes.
It also brings attention to the controversial practice of captive trophy hunting, where hunters pay to kill animals in enclosed spaces.
Judge Morris hoped that the sentence would serve as a warning to others. “We need to protect the genetic integrity of our wildlife,” he stated.
The judge’s decision reflects a balance between punishing illegal activities and acknowledging the defendant’s circumstances.
The prosecution emphasized the importance of upholding wildlife laws to protect animal populations and ecosystems.
“This was not a victimless crime,” attorney Sarah Brown said. “The actions taken endangered wildlife and undermined conservation efforts.”
Schubarth’s case serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of illegal wildlife manipulation.
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It underscores the responsibilities individuals and businesses have in preserving natural species and adhering to laws designed to protect them.