Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 7:51 a.m.
Read more: Local, State, Crime, Portales, Poaching, New Mexico, Mexico, New Mexico Game and Fish, Deer
PORTALES, NEW MEXICO -- Two Portales men have been fined after pleading guilty in separate poaching cases.
New Mexico Game and Fish officials say 21-year-old Jacob Gaines was sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined $2,255 for poaching deer and antelope. He originally faced 31 counts of poaching-related crimes after a lengthy investigation by state officials and Roosevelt County sheriff's deputies.
Gaines entered a plea agreement.
In a second case, 23-year-old Wade Richardson was fined $467 after pleading guilty to unlawful killing of an antelope. He admitted taking a buck when he had a license for a female or immature antelope.
Both men face possible civil damages because the animals were considered trophy quality.
