Southwest Oklahomans plead guilty to killing endangered whooping cranes

OKLAHOMA CITY – Four Southwest Oklahoman men were sentenced to pay restitution totaling $68,000 for unlawfully killing four endangered whooping cranes protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, according to U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

Joseph M. Roman, 43, and Justin M. Wine, 40, both of Altus; Chanod M. Campbell, 32, of Gould; and Brian Lee Gollihare Jr., 35, of Hollis; were charged in the U.S. Western District Court on Aug. 22 with taking a migratory bird for which there is no season.

According to information presented in court, on or about Nov. 5, 2021, the four men were hunting at Tom Steed Reservoir in Southwest Oklahoma when they killed four whooping cranes and attempted to hide the birds before leaving the scene.

Whooping cranes are a migratory bird and are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), the whooping crane is one of the rarest birds in North America and are highly endangered. An FWS report from May, 2023, estimates there are less than 600 total whooping cranes in the wild.

All four men pleaded guilty and, at sentencing hearings this week, U.S. Magistrate Judge Amanda Maxfield Green ordered each defendant to pay $17,000 in restitution to the International Crane Foundation and pay a $750 fine. The defendants also were each ordered to forfeit their shotguns and will lose their hunting privileges in all 50 states for the next five years.

“Each of us bears responsibility to protect endangered wildlife so that the species is preserved for future generations,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Troester. “My office stands with and commends the work done by our federal and state law enforcement partners, and we hope this case serves as a warning for those who would harm endangered species.”

Edward Grace, Assistant Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement, said its Office of Law Enforcement is committed to conducting criminal investigations with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation for the protection of endangered species such as the whooping crane.

“The outcomes of this case are the result of vigorous investigative efforts by the Office of Law Enforcement and our ODWC partners to bring wildlife violators to justice,” he said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Brown prosecuted the case.