Fish and Wildlife made the announcement this week. The department said that on a flight to Sacramento from San Diego, two plain-clothes officers were seated in front of a couple from Chico who were discussing hunting.
Fish and Wildlife said the couple then showed the officers a video of the room where the animals were displayed in the Napa home.
Once they deboarded the plane and passed through TSA, the couple showed the officers the turtle skull, which they acknowledged was illegal to have in their possession, Fish and Wildlife said. The skull was wrapped in a jacket inside their carry-on luggage.
Sea turtle skull Californai Department of Fish and WIldlifeAt the couple's home, officers found that the couple was processing an illegally taken deer — deer season was closed at the time and Fish and Wildlife said the couple had no deer tags.
Two illegally taxidermied mountain lions and one taxidermied wolverine were found in the relative's home in Napa. All animals and animal parts were seized from both homes.
Taxidermied mountain lion and wolf California Department of Fish and WildlifePoaching charges were filed by Butte and Napa county district attorneys while the other violations related to the unlawful possession of the sea turtle skull, owl and deer parts were handled by Fish and Wildlife.
Two months later, the couple, which reached a plea agreement in federal court, were each fined $1,000 for violating federal wildlife laws and regulations.
On January 30, 2025, other plea agreements were reached with the couple, Fish and Wildlife said. Lee Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to two Fish and Game violations, resulting in a $1,865 fine and a year of probation. Lee Price pleaded guilty to one violation, resulting in a $1,015 fine and a year of probation.
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