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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Father, Son Admit Killing Sheep, Elk

Associated Press

A father and son from southeast Missouri pleaded guilty Monday to killing a bighorn sheep in Glacier National Park and an elk in Yellowstone National Park.

John Partney, 46, of Van Buren, and his son, Andy Partney, 22, of Cape Girardeau, entered their pleas before U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber.

The two admitted that on Aug. 12, 1992, Andy Partney illegally shot and killed the ram in Glacier National Park. The two then removed the horns from the animal and brought them back to Missouri - a violation of the Lacey Act, which makes it illegal to transport the horns across state lines.

They also admitted that on Sept. 29, 1993, while in Yellowstone National Park, John Partney aimed a spotlight in the eyes of an 800-pound elk while Andy Partney shot it. They also admitted cutting off the antlers and driving them back to Missouri.

John Partney, who was a licensed firearms dealer, also pleaded guilty to a variety of other federal crimes. They include selling ammunition to boys under the age of 18 and attempting to hide a number of items from law enforcement officers, including the ram horns, guns and two diaries describing his hunts.

Under an agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Partneys will never be allowed to hunt in Missouri. They also agreed to turn over all the mounted wildlife, diaries and pictures that were seized during the federal investigation.

John Partney faces a maximum of six years in prison and a $260,000 fine. Andy Partney faces a maximum of one year in prison and a $10,000 fine. Sentencing was set for Nov. 12.

Also Monday, Carter County Prosecutor Bradshaw Smith said John Partney has agreed to plead guilty to 25 counts of misdemeanor wildlife violations. Andy Partney has agreed to plead guilty to 16 counts.

They have agreed to pay a $20,000 fine and to donate all their guns to the Carter County Crime Reduction Fund, Smith said.

The two are scheduled to enter their pleas on Sept. 4 in Van Buren.