### Montana Rancher Sentenced for Illegal Wildlife Trafficking

**Vaughn, Montana** – A local businessman has been sentenced to six months in prison on charges of trafficking in endangered wildlife and violating federal conservation laws. Arthur “Jack” Schubarth, 81, owner of Sun River Enterprises LLC, committed the offenses in an extensive scheme to create and sell hybrid sheep to captive hunting facilities.

Schubarth, who operates the 215-acre Schubarth Ranch in Vaughn, engaged in a nearly decade-long effort to breed larger hybrid sheep. These animals were intended for sale to shooting preserves or game ranches, in direct violation of the Lacey Act and state regulations. Court documents reveal Schubarth conspired with at least five others from 2013 to 2021, bringing in genetic material from the world's largest sheep, the Marco Polo argali, without proper declarations.

The Marco Polo argali, protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the Endangered Species Act, is native to Central Asia's Pamir region. Schubarth smuggled parts of these sheep into the U.S. from Kyrgyzstan. The illegal genetic material was used to create cloned embryos, which were then implanted in ewes on his ranch. This resulted in the birth of a pure genetic male Marco Polo argali called "Montana Mountain King" (MMK).

Schubarth also used MMK’s semen to artificially inseminate other prohibited species of ewes, creating hybrid sheep. To facilitate the transportation of these prohibited species in and out of Montana, Schubarth and his associates forged veterinary inspection certificates, falsely claiming the animals were legal.

The scheme posed significant risks, including the spread of diseases like Johne's disease, a highly contagious, chronic wasting disease. At least two sheep involved in the operation succumbed to the illness. Additionally, Schubarth acquired genetic material from wild-hunted Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in Montana, further violating state laws prohibiting the sale of game animal parts and their use on alternative livestock ranches.

"A commitment to enforcing wildlife protection laws remains unwavering," stated Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division. Emphasizing the detrimental effects on domestic wildlife, he highlighted the severity of Schubarth's violations.

U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich for the District of Montana pointed to Schubarth’s conduct as being driven by greed, endangering Montana’s native species and ecosystems. The severity of these actions prompted a comprehensive and collaborative investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies.

In addition to his prison term, Schubarth has been ordered to pay a $20,000 fine to the Lacey Act Reward Fund and a $4,000 payment to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, along with a $200 special assessment. The case, prosecuted by the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section and the District of Montana, was underscored by efforts from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.