Two Plead Guilty to Poaching and Animal Cruelty Charges

SIERRA COUNTY — Two individuals have entered pleas in a significant poaching case involving multiple unlawful hunting offenses committed in Sierra County, the Sierra County District Attorney’s Office announced.

District Attorney Sandra Groven stated that her office charged Cameron Gilbert of Browns Valley and Michael Hubbard of Olivehurst with numerous wildlife violations involving the unlawful taking and abuse of animals. The offenses involved eight bears, one bobcat, one turkey, one raccoon, and multiple wild pigs.

Gilbert pleaded guilty to felony animal abuse, unlawful spotlighting, using dogs to hunt bear, and hunting without a license. He was sentenced to 30 days in county jail, ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, forfeit seized property, and placed on felony probation for three years. As a result of his felony conviction, Gilbert is prohibited from possessing firearms.

Hubbard pleaded no contest to misdemeanor animal abuse, hunting bear with dogs, and unlawful possession of wildlife. He was sentenced to 80 hours of community service, ordered to pay a $2,000 fine, prohibited from hunting for three years, and placed on probation for one year.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) may take independent administrative action regarding the defendants’ future hunting privileges.

“This was a serious poaching case submitted to our office by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife,” Groven said. “Sierra County provides abundant opportunities for lawful hunting and outdoor recreation, but those opportunities come with clear legal responsibilities. Ethical sportsmen follow the rules. Those who choose to poach should expect to be prosecuted.”

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Matt Carr, who assists in the prosecution of environmental and natural resource crimes in Sierra County and other rural Northern California counties through the Circuit Prosecutor Project, a grant program administered by CalEPA and the Placer County District Attorney’s Office. The investigation was conducted by California Department of Fish and Wildlife Warden John Diehl, now a lieutenant.

Sierra County currently does not have a California Department of Fish and Wildlife game warden assigned to the county. As a result, timely reporting by the public is critical to effective enforcement and investigation of wildlife crimes.

Anyone with information regarding poaching or wildlife violations in Sierra County is encouraged to first contact the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 289-3700. Reports should also be made to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife through CalTIP at 1-888-334-CALTIP. Reports to CalTIP may be made anonymously.