Two Montana men, Richard McAtee and Arlon Franz, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Alaska for the illegal killing of a brown bear within the protected Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge.
Court documents allege that McAtee and Franz conspired to kill and transport the bear in May 2022, violating both state and federal laws. The men allegedly hunted the bear out of season, without proper permits, and transported the hide to various locations in Alaska.
Read: Stressed Florida Black Bear Was In No Mood For ‘Selfies’
McAtee has been arrested in Montana, while Franz awaits his initial court appearance. If convicted, both men face significant fines and up to five years in prison.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, with assistance from the U.S. Forest Service.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.