Timothy Rawlings, 56, of Laveen, Arizona, was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison for orchestrating an illegal hunting operation that targeted deer, elk, mountain lions, and bears. His crimes violated the Lacey Act, and included a conspiracy charge. Rawlings must also serve three years of supervised release and pay $45,800 in restitution.
His co-defendant, Howard Wayne Rodarmel, 71, of Baca County, Colorado, previously received three years of probation, along with $9,164 in restitution and a $2,000 fine for a related misdemeanor Lacey Act violation.
The Lacey Act, which was enacted 125 years ago, prohibits the trafficking of wildlife that has been killed in violation of federal, state, tribal, or foreign laws. It remains one of America’s most powerful tools to combat poaching and wildlife smuggling.
The investigation began when Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers suspected Rawlings was illegally outfitting hunts in Colorado. Working alongside U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Special Agents, CPW uncovered a sophisticated scheme that spanned multiple states. The case was ultimately prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice.
According to his plea agreement, Rawlings illegally provided guiding and hunting services through his business, Old West Guides and Outfitters, despite lacking a license to operate in Colorado. He arranged hunts for paying clients, most of whom lived outside the state, knowing the illegally killed animals would cross state lines.
Investigators documented numerous violations, including outfitting without a license, brokering landowner vouchers, shooting wildlife from vehicles, chasing animals with vehicles, and hunting on unpermitted lands. Rawlings also failed to register animals that were killed, including mountain lions, as required under Colorado law.
This sentencing underscores how federal and state agencies are working together to protect wildlife and hold poachers accountable. By targeting iconic big-game species and profiting from illegal hunts, Rawlings and his associates violated both state law and one of America’s oldest wildlife protection statutes.
