https://www.justice.gov/usao-e...cted-migratory-birds


PRESS RELEASE

Five Defendants Plead Guilty to Illegally Hunting Protected Migratory Birds
Friday, January 12, 2024

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Three Virginia residents and one Maryland resident pleaded guilty this week to illegally hunting dozens of migratory wood ducks over a baited pond in Middleburg, after the owner of the property previously pleaded guilty to baiting the pond in violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

According to court documents, beginning in August 2022 and continuing through the end of November 2022, Clint Burlett, 41, placed significant amounts of corn into a nearly quarter-acre pond located on his farm property in Middleburg, with the intention of baiting and hunting wood ducks with friends and family. Beginning in September 2022, Burlett began messaging friends, all of whom were experienced hunters, including defendants Michael Scott, 36, of Purcellville, Eric Scott, 29, of Hillsboro, Christian Hoyt, 39, of Lovettsville, and taxidermist Timothy Young, 48, of Frederick, Maryland. Burlett told friends that he had seen approximately 90–100 ducks fall for the bait. Burlett also told friends it was his “favorite time of the year” and encouraged the hunters to get ready to “smash em” when it was “go time.” As part of these messages, Eric Scott expressed his hopes of beating the previous year’s pond record, which Burlett shared was 43 wood ducks killed.

In October 2022, at the start of early duck-hunting season, Burlett hosted two group hunts at the pond he had baited, inviting friends and family to hunt waterfowl together. On October 7, 2022, a group of hunters—which included Burlett and defendants Michael Scott, Eric Scott, Christian Hoyt, and Timothy Young—killed 26 wood ducks over bait. Two days later, that number had risen to 91 wood ducks killed. On October 10, 2022, another group of hunters—which included Burlett and defendants Michael Scott, Eric Scott, and Timothy Young—killed 16 wood ducks over bait.

As part of his guilty plea and sentencing, Burlett was ordered to pay a fine of $2,700 and is prohibited from hunting or being physically present at any hunts in North America for a period of 24 months, including attending, hosting, or supervising any hunts. The four additional defendants identified above are prohibited from hunting or being physically present at any hunts in North America for a period of 18 months, and they each were ordered to pay fines of either $500 or $1,000.

Raj Parekh, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Edward Grace, Assistant Director of Law Enforcement for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), made the announcement after the Court accepted the above-referenced guilty pleas and imposed sentences.

This investigation was worked jointly by special agents with the USFWS–Office of Law Enforcement and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources–Conservation Police.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sehar Sabir prosecuted the cases. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gordon Kromberg and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Austin Lin provided valuable assistance with the investigation.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 1:23-mj-189, 245, 246, 247, and 258.

Contact
Press Officer
USAVAE.Press@usdoj.gov

Updated January 12, 2024

Glad they were caught, but it seems the court did not "throw the book at them," but "gently tossed the pamphlet."