An Idaho man has been indicted for multiple felony Lacey Act violations related to hunting in the Noatak National Preserve in Northwest Alaska without a license.
According to the indictment, Paul Silvas, 51, of Nampa, Idaho, filed false state of Alaska Department of Fish and Game hunt records in order to conceal the illegal take of brown bears and to conceal illegally guided hunts, and he also illegally transported game over state lines.
The indictment alleges that Silvas knowingly guided illegal hunts for other Idaho residents in the reserve on Sept. 5 and Sept. 12, 2014 and on Sept. 25, 2013.
In order to lawfully hunt brown bears within the preserve, a non-resident hunter is required to have contracted with a licensed big game guide, possess the appropriate ADF&G draw permits and purchase the appropriate big game tags from ADF&G.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.
If convicted, however, Silvas faces a maximum of up to five years in prison and fines up to $250,000 on each count.
