This story has been updated.
[A] Colchester man has been charged with illegally killing a crow and woodcock, unlawfully possessing a turkey vulture, and possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony.
A federal grand jury in Burlington indicted Jeremiah Ruhl, 43, on six counts Friday. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. Magistrate Judge John Conroy ordered Ruhl detained pending trial, and turned over his custody to U.S. Marshals.
Ruhl was charged with several state fish and wildlife crimes in addition to the federal violations. Over a three-year period, Ruhl allegedly hunted under revocation, took and transported deer out of season and possessed illegal deer, among other crimes, according to a Vermont Fish and Wildlife press release. The release described Ruhl as a “habitual violator” of Vermont state law, with a record of illegally taking fish and wildlife since 2002.
All three of the birds in question are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Additionally, Ruhl’s hunting license had been revoked before he shot the birds.
Ruhl was charged with a felony for forgery in 2007, causing him to be barred from firearm possession. However, law enforcement found Ruhl in possession of a Stevens .410 shotgun and rifle ammunition.
If convicted of the firearms violation, Ruhl faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and $250,000. If convicted of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act violations, Ruhl faces a maximum penalty of six months behind bars and a $5,000 fine on each of the three charges.
The state charges alone constitute up to $21,000 in fines and 540 days in jail, as well as a loss of hunting and fishing privileges in Vermont for three years, if Ruhl is found guilty.
State Game Warden Col. Jason Batchelder said crimes against the natural resources of Vermont and against migratory bird species “will see an appropriate response.”
“Mr. Ruhl has repeatedly shown himself to be a significant threat to both the natural resources of Vermont and the migratory species we share with neighboring states and provinces,” Batchelder said in a statement.
U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan said in a statement: “This case represents a firm commitment by my office to work with state game wardens and federal wildlife agents to vigorously investigate and prosecute federal wildlife crimes that undermine state and federal efforts to protect the precious natural resources of our beautiful State.”
