GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Two Montana men have been slapped with steep penalties after pleading guilty to a string of fish and wildlife violations that spanned multiple counties and shocked local communities. Richard Van Meter, 22, and Ty Robert Lewis, 21, were sentenced in Cascade County’s 8th Judicial Court following a two-year investigation by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) that uncovered their roles in a poaching rampage targeting fish and big game animals.
The investigation kicked off in August 2021 when FWP game wardens discovered a grim scene at the Giant Springs Fish Hatchery. Several large fish in the hatchery’s display pond had been brutally speared. Some died on the spot, while others suffered injuries so severe they had to be euthanized. Just weeks later, a tip led wardens to a ranch near Cascade, where they found the abandoned carcass of a bull elk—its head, antlers, and lower jaw hacked off, the rest left to decay.
What began as isolated incidents soon unraveled into a broader pattern of wildlife crime. Wardens linked Van Meter and Lewis to the illegal killing of three bull elk, one black bear, and the hatchery fish. Public tips proved instrumental in cracking the case, guiding investigators to the culprits. Lewis remained in Montana, while Van Meter fled to California before eventually returning, allowing authorities to finalize their probe.
In court, the penalties reflected the gravity of their actions. Lewis was ordered to pay $16,000 in fines and restitution, while Van Meter faces an $8,000 bill. Both men have also been stripped of their hunting, fishing, and trapping privileges for 20 years—a stern message to would-be poachers. “This case took a few years, but thanks to the hard work of our game wardens, we are glad to finally wrap this up,” said FWP Region 4 Warden Captain Dave Holland. “The sentences imposed by the court reflect the value of the resources taken and the community’s deep connection to the Giant Springs Hatchery.”
Holland praised the collaborative effort that brought the case to a close, thanking the California Department of Fish & Wildlife for aiding Van Meter’s return, as well as the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office and County Attorney’s Office for their critical support. The hatchery, a cherished local resource, and Montana’s big game populations are now safer thanks to the resolution.
FWP is urging the public to stay vigilant and report any suspected fish and wildlife violations. Tips can be submitted online at tipmont.mt.gov or directly to local game wardens, with rewards of up to $1,000 available for information leading to convictions. For Van Meter and Lewis, the cost of their spree has proven far greater than the trophies they sought—a lesson in the high price of wildlife crime.