14 Indicted for Poaching Dozens of Big Game Animals in Arizona

On December 12, the Arizona Grand Jury indicted 14 people on 30 counts related to poaching wildlife in the state. The crimes include one count each of conspiracy, illegally conducting an enterprise, and cruelty to animals, and 26 counts of theft (aka poaching).

According to the indictment, the individuals were part of an “enterprise bound by the shared activity of illegally hunting and eating animals belonging to the state of Arizona.” Collectively, they poached 4 elk, 5 mule deer, 13 whitetails, 4 big horn sheep (including one ram), 3 antelope, 2 turkeys, and 4 javelinas between 2018 and 2021.

The state of Arizona is claiming between $4,000 and $25,000 in damages for each count related to the big-game species and $3,000 to $4,000 each relating to the turkeys. In sum, that’s a maximum value of around $600,000 of animals that the poachers deprived the public of ever being able to hunt.

The defendants' names (Bu Reh, Neh Reh, Nga Reh, Pray Reh, Tee Reh, Ree Reh, Ti Reh, Simon Zam, Yung Bal Cangmah, and Joseph Htee) indicate that several of them are related. Four other defendants' names were redacted from the indictment. While no reason for the redactions is given, one plausible explanation is that the four individuals are minors.

In terms of specifics, the indictment provides no details on what exactly happened in any of the poaching incidents (each count simply lists the date, the species taken, and the monetary value of said animals). The final count of animal cruelty, however, sheds a little light on the poachers’ tactics. The indictment states that Ree Reh and Tee Reh “intentionally or knowingly subjected any animal to cruel mistreatment (to wit: killing a deer by smashing its head with a rock.)” None of the other counts offer insight or details.

All the offenses were committed in Maricopa, Yavapai, and Coconino counties. Together, the three counties make up a huge portion of the central and north-central portions of Arizona. The defendants will be tried in Coconino County this coming year. It’s not yet clear what kind of punishment the prosecutors will be seeking. But if you’re concerned it might be too lenient, you’re not alone. Read the article “Why Don’t Poachers Ever Get What They Deserve,” by Jordan Sillars, for insight into the issue.

The indictment lists 26 of the counts as Class 3 felonies, which each carry between 2 and 8.5 years of prison time. The remaining counts are class 4, 5, and 6 felonies, which carry little or no prison time but include other fines and probation penalties.

Historically, the Arizona Game & Fish Department has taken a hardline stance on poaching. The department pays cash rewards to people who report crimes, with payments of up to $500 for tips on big-game cases, and up to $1,000 for additional, detailed information. Annually, the department pays out between $6,000 and $20,000 to individuals who report wildlife crimes. With more eyes and ears out there in the woods than law enforcement, it’s often up to us to report poachers.

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