The case involving federal poaching charges against a high-profile hunting couple might be nearing the end after years of delays and continuances.
A continuance of a jury trial to Nov. 14 has been granted for Josh Bowmar, Sarah Bowmar and Bowmar Bowhunting LLC, by the presiding judge as discussions are ongoing for a possible plea agreement.
United States Magistrate Judge Michael Nelson granted the continuance. The trial had been scheduled for Sept. 26 in the Roman L. Hruska Federal Courthouse in Omaha, Neb. The request for continuance was made Sept. 15. The Bowmars, who live in Ohio, had large social media followings for their bowhunting and physical fitness videos.
D&DH first reported on this case nearly two years ago.
According to new court documents, “Counsel for Defendants is in receipt of a proposed plea agreement from the United States Attorney’s Office.” The continuance was granted as “Counsel for Defendants requires additional time to discuss the proposed plea agreement with Defendants and to complete plea paperwork.”
Multiple continuances previously have been granted in the case. The Bowmars were indicted in October 2020 by a federal grand jury and are alleged to have violated numerous game laws in five Nebraska counties from 2015-17 including illegal baiting, hunting without permits and violating the federal Lacey Act. The latter charges stem from transport of harvested game from Nebraska to their home in Ohio.
Their case is part of a larger one, with 30 defendants, said to be the largest involving wildlife-related offenses in Nebraska history. State and federal officials said the cases originated at Hidden Hills Outfitters near Broken Bow, Neb. Its owner, Jacob Hueftle, was sentenced in federal court in Omaha, Neb., to 30 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $214,375 in restitution, jointly with his company, Hidden Hills Outfitters LLC. Hueftle also was given a 15-year ban on hunting, trapping or any related business after his prison sentence is served.
A similar case in Wyoming was settled earlier this year when a couple was ordered to pay more than $60,000 in fines following a decade-long federal court battle. That case also involved illegal baiting and out-of-state hunters.
While indicted by the federal grand jury, the Bowmars have not been convicted of any charges. Their attorney, G. Kline Preston of Nashville, told Deer & Deer Hunting in October 2020 the Bowmars would fight the charges. The Bowmars addressed the charges in 2020 in a long Instagram video. Kline also railed against the Lacey Act, calling it “an abusive piece of legislation.”
“This is a fight between ethical hunters, the Bowmars, and the federal government which is using the Lacey Act against them,” Preston wrote. “The Lacey Act is an abusive piece of federal legislation that is used to excessively punish hunters for alleged minor infractions which are the equivalent of a speeding ticket under state law. The Lacey Act makes a traffic-like offense into a serious federal case. It is often abused by forcing honest, ethical hunters to plead guilty in order to avoid the risk of excessive fines and substantial jail time.
“The Bowmars have elected to stand on their rights and fight these charges before a jury rather than accept a deal,” Preston wrote back then. “The Bowmars are fighting for their rights and those of other ethical hunters as well.”
According to the Tennessean, G. Kline Preston, IV, a graduate of the Nashville School of Law, has authored books about Russian regulations, and has represented clients in Russia, Ukraine, Canada, Cuba and England. Among Preston’s Russian clients and longtime friends is Alexander Torshin, a prominent Russian politician who has close ties to President Vladimir Putin. Among Preston’s U.S. clients: Republican Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn and her son-in-law, Paul Ketchel, a Nashville healthcare entrepreneur.
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BOWMARS INDICTED ON POACHING CHARGES
BOWMARS RESPOND TO FEDERAL POACHING CHARGES