Quick thinking and quality documentation by a witness helped game wardens investigate an individual who was recently convicted of multiple hunting violations.
Juan Garcia-Gomez of Bozeman pleaded guilty last month in Madison County Justice Court to misdemeanor charges of unlawful possession of a game animal, unlawful hunting from a public highway, and failure to validate his general deer license. This was the result of a joint investigation by game wardens with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Madison County Sheriff's Office.
A video recorded by the witness showed Garcia-Gomez kneeling in a roadway, propped against his vehicle, and shooting a mule deer buck on a nearby hillside near Jeffers in November. Garcia-Gomez loaded the buck into his vehicle and left the scene.
The witness's actions were key to the successful investigation and prosecution of this case. Upon seeing the violations, the witness immediately began recording a video of the incident with their phone. Shortly after Garcia-Gomez left the scene, the witness located a spent shell casing in the road and photographed it. Then they reported the incident to FWP.
Game wardens coordinated with the Madison County Sheriff's Office to detain the suspect and assist in the investigation.
This case underscores the importance of being a good witness when violations are observed. This includes getting accurate, detailed descriptions of suspects, vehicles and license plates; collecting quality photos and video when it is safe to do so; and locating but not disturbing evidence. Reports from members of the public who care about the state's natural resources greatly help game wardens as they seek to hold violators accountable.
The witness in this case has been recommended to receive a monetary reward through FWP's TIPMONT program.
Garcia-Gomez paid $1,100 in fines and was sentenced to a 24-month suspension of hunting and fishing privileges. Montana is part of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact where violators who lose privileges in one state lose them in all 50 states.
Anyone with possible information about crimes against fish, wildlife or state lands is encouraged to visit tipmont.mt.gov to provide details. You may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.