Ex-Burns, Abramoff staffer pleads guilty in poaching case

[patrioticliberal]

Ex-Burns, Abramoff staffer pleads guilty in poaching case

By JENNIFER McKEE - 12/21/2005

HELENA — A one-time employee of both U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., and indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff has pleaded guilty to poaching and trespassing in Stillwater County.

Shawn Vasell, 33, of Arlington, Va., pleaded guilty to one count of hunting without a license and a second count of hunting on private property without landowner consent, according to documents filed Nov. 3 in Stillwater County Justice Court.

Vasell agreed to a plea agreement that allowed him to avoid possible jail time. He was initially charged with four violations of Montana big game laws, although prosecutors dropped two.

Vasell cannot hunt, fish or trap in Montana for two years. He was fined $670 and had to pay $500 restitution for the value of the mule deer buck he shot.

MORE:
http://www.helenair.com/articles/2005/12/21/montana/03mt20051221100.txt