Sentencing rescheduled for Adams County man charged with Lacey Act Violation
Published 8:00 am Wednesday, December 6, 2023
JACKSON — One of two Adams County men facing charges of Conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act is set to be sentenced next week. The case is being tried in the United States District Court of Southern Mississippi and was rescheduled from a November court date according to court documents.
Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac is presiding over the case in Jackson. Brandon Scott Farve pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge on Nov. 2. He is scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 12 at 1:30 p.m. in Jackson.
The Lacey Act was first enacted in 1900 to combat the trafficking of illegally taken wildlife, fish or plants. It has since broadened to prevent the “importation, exportation, transportation, sale, receipt, acquisition, or purchase,” of wildlife, fish or plants taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of the United States Law.
Mississippi for example has laws on the books which prevent the sale of live game species such as white-tailed deer. Any violation of that law would become a Lacey Act Violation.
If sentenced to the maximum penalty, Farve could face a fine of $10,000, at maximum one year of imprisonment, at maximum one year of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Jason Daniel Martin could face the same penalties if he pleads guilty. The court docket shows Martin’s case has not progressed since it opened on Oct. 17, 2023. Court documents do not provide any details on what Farve or Martin did to be charged with Conspiracy to Violate the Lacey Act.
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service said they could not comment on any pending litigation. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks is unable to comment on the ongoing case as it is now a Federal court case. The United States Attorney’s Office has yet to comment on the case.