In what was described as one of the most disturbing poaching cases in recent history, four men were sentenced in Montana’s 16th Judicial District Court in Garfield County for their roles in unlawfully taking 48 game animals, bringing a close to an investigation that began in 2014.
In a plea bargain, Richard LeBlanc of Rhode Island, Marc Federico of Rhode Island, Stephen Schenck of Massachusetts and William Mathews of Florida were jointly and individually ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution and received six-month suspended jail sentences, the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks announced Wednesday.
LeBlanc’s hunting, fishing and trapping privileges were suspended for 10 years, while Federico, Schenck and Mathews’ privileges were suspended for eight, seven and two years, respectively.
