Updated Feb. 11 with additional sentencing information

Two men have been sentenced for poaching and killing fish in the display pond at the Giant Springs Fish Hatchery in 2021.

Richard Van Meter, 22, and Ty Robert Lewis, 21, were convicted of unlawful possession of a game animal, unlawful possession of a game fish, waste of a game animal, waste of a game fish, and hunting without a valid license.

Lewis paid $16,000 in fines and restitution, and Van Meter paid $8,000 in fines and restitution. Both men will also lose their hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for 20 years, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Donation increases reward for information on Giant Springs Hatchery fish deaths [2021] 

John Brothers of the Cascade County Attorney’s Office prosecuted both cases and said that Lewis was sentenced in March 2023 and Van Meter was sentenced Feb. 4.

Brothers said the court awarded Lewis credit for four days served at the Cascade County Adult Detention Center and Van Meter was awarded credit for the 29 days he served out of state before returning to Montana.

The investigation began on Aug. 23, 2021, when FWP game wardens found several large fish at the Giant Springs fish hatchery display pond that had been speared with a sharp object. Some of the dead fish were left at the scene, while others that survived had to later be euthanized, according to FWP.

On Sept. 19, 2021, wardens received a report that someone had shot and abandoned a bull elk on a ranch near Cascade.

The head and antlers had been removed, as well as the lower jaw, but the body had been left to waste.

During the course of the investigation wardens also determined that three bull elk and one black bear had been taken illegally. Tips from the public led wardens to Van Meter and Lewis, who later confessed to the crimes. Van Meter then left the state but returned recently, according to FWP.

“This case took a few years, but thanks to the hard work of our game wardens, we are glad to finally wrap this case up,” FWP Region 4 Warden Captain Dave Holland said in a release. “The sentences imposed by the court reflect the value of the resources taken by these two individuals, and especially the importance that the community places on the Giant Springs Hatchery. Game wardens from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife facilitated the return of Van Meter to Montana from California, and the hard work of the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office along with the Cascade County Attorney’s Office was critical to our success.”

Anyone with possible information about a fish and wildlife violation is encouraged to visit tipmont.mt.gov or contact their local game warden to provide information and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.