Thursday, June 30, 2011

Kalispell man sentenced for illegally cutting down 5 trees

A Kalispell resident was sentenced to one year of probation for illegally cutting down trees on public lands. Ronald Brandt, 60, was sentenced in Missoula federal court Wednesday morning and is facing $450 in fines. In 2006 the Forest Service awarded a contract to Tough Go Logging and they contracted Brandt to be the primary harvester. Cutting began in the fall of 2008 and in December, the Forest Service discovered five trees cut in violation of the contract. Brandt admitted he knew the trees could not be cut and pled guilty to the charge. Link

You have to wonder how long a jail term and how big a fine he would have risked if he hadn't copped a plea.

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