Clovis Man Sentenced to 2 Years Probation for Misdemeanor Wildlife Trafficking Charge

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Victoria Owens, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 2, announced today that Jared Piepkorn, 47, of Clovis, New Mexico pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years’ probation for Sale of Wildlife Taken in Violation of State Law, a violation of the Lacey Act.

The United States charged Piepkorn with one misdemeanor violation of the Lacey Act occurring in January 2021 after he agreed to also plead guilty in State District Court to several wildlife related charges occurring in January 2022. The United States alleged he engaged in the sale of wildlife by acting as an unregistered guide or outfitter in 2021 and guiding an out of state hunter who killed an Oryx on the White Sands Missile Range without a proper permit.

In addition to serving two years’ probation, Piepkorn was fined $2,000 and will be required to complete 50 hours of community Service. The fine will be used to further wildlife conservation efforts.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service investigated this case jointly with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.  Assistant United States Attorney Letitia Carroll Simms prosecuted the case.

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