FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE— Sept. 19, 2025
Six men sentenced in Musselshell County poaching case
 BILLINGS – Six men from Montana and Washington have pled guilty in Musselshell County Justice Court to unlawfully killing bull elk and mule deer bucks near Roundup. They have been sentenced to a combined total of $22,890 in fines, and license revocations totaling 28 years.
The investigation began with information provided to Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) wardens by a confidential informant. After an extensive investigation, wardens found that the group of both residents and nonresidents killed several large bull elk in Hunting District 590 without the required elk permit and also killed several large mule deer without hunting licenses. The violations occurred between 2020 and 2024.
During the investigation, Montana wardens worked with wardens in Washington State who seized several mounts of unlawfully killed elk and deer. Montana wardens also seized multiple elk and deer mounts in Montana. In total, 11 mounts were seized as evidence in the investigation, and a total of 34 charges and 13 warnings were issued by FWP wardens.
“We would like to thank the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, the Billings Police Department, and the Musselshell County Attorney’s Office for their assistance,” said FWP game warden Jake Barzen, who was the lead investigator in the case. “But most of all, we thank the public, since like in so many other cases, it was their tips that initially sparked our investigation.”
The sentences are:
- Ben Valadez - Tri Cities, WA, $8,050 in fines and restitution, and an 8-year license revocation
- Devon Rea – Roundup, MT, $4,275 in fines and restitution, and a 4-year license revocation
- Kyle Steiling – Tri Cities, WA, $3,640 in fines and restitution, and a 4-year license revocation
- Mitch Miller – Roundup, MT, $3,050 in fines and restitution, and an 8-year license revocation
- Noa Valadez – Tri Cities, WA, $2,070 in fines and restitution, and a 2-year license revocation
- Johnny Lopez – Tri Cities, WA, $1,805 in fines and restitution, and a 2-year license revocation
Anyone with information about wildlife crimes is encouraged to visit tipmont.mt.gov. Those who report information may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.
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