Blue Ribbon Coalition member arrested in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park (ID,MT,WY)
Poacher Arrested Following Stand-Off


On November 22nd, rangers and special agents arrested Edward A.
Johnson, 31, of Livingston, Montana, following a citizen report of an
antelope poaching in progress in the Stevens Creek area of the park.
Ranger Doug Berringer and a park special agent were first to arrive on
scene and saw a vehicle matching the description of the suspect
vehicle attempting to leave the area. The vehicle was stopped and a
short stand-off ensued. According to the criminal complaint filed in
this case, Johnson was repeatedly ordered at gunpoint to keep his
hands in view and to get down on the ground. Johnson instead opted to
reach repeatedly and aggressively toward his waistband, then
reportedly told the rangers to shoot him. He was ultimately taken into
custody. A dead antelope and a rifle were discovered in the front seat
of the red Ford Bronco he was driving. Johnson was booked into the
Mammoth Hot Springs jail for violating the Lacey Act (poaching),
resisting and impeding federal officers, using a weapon in a national
park, operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, possession
of drug paraphernalia, and operating a vehicle off of designated park
roadways. A detention hearing was set for November 25th. The
investigation is continuing and the case is being further reviewed by
the United States Attorney's Office for the possible filing of
additional felony weapons charges. This was the sixth known wildlife
poaching case inside the park within the last two months.M
[Submitted by Chris Fors, Special Agent]

http://data2.itc.nps.gov/morningrepo...greportold.cfm