An Alabama man was recently convicted in a decades-old Wyoming Game and Fish Department wildlife case after failing to appear in court for more than 20 years.
Kenny Craig, 53, of Elkmont, Alabama, and formerly of Lysite, Wyoming, was arrested in March 2024 on a bench warrant issued in February 2000 after he failed to appear in court for multiple hunting violations. The Wyoming Highway Patrol arrested Craig during a traffic stop in Crook County. He was taken to jail and later released on a $1,000 bond.
On June 25, 2024, Craig was convicted in Fremont County Circuit Court for the original wildlife crimes he committed during the 1998 hunting season. As part of a plea agreement, 9th Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Dan Stebner accepted Craig’s no-contest plea to one count of taking a deer without a license. He was ordered to pay $410 in fines and court costs, along with $1,000 in restitution for the illegally taken buck mule deer. His hunting, fishing and trapping privileges were suspended for three years. In exchange for his plea, three additional charges were dismissed and two further violations were not charged.
Craig’s violations date back to Oct. 24, 1998, when he illegally killed a 5-by-5 buck mule deer on the Game and Fish’s Sand Mesa Wildlife Habitat Management Area near Riverton. He was hunting in Deer Hunt Area 157 — a limited quota area — with a general deer license, which was not valid for that hunt area. Craig failed to tag the buck and later used his brother’s limited quota license to validate the animal illegally.
In addition, Craig illegally purchased a Wyoming resident general deer and elk license before meeting the state’s residency requirement. At the time he only lived in Wyoming for three months after moving from New Mexico. Wyoming law requires a person to be a resident for at least one year before applying for or purchasing a resident hunting or fishing license. Craig also failed to complete the mandatory hunter education course, which is required for anyone born after Jan. 1, 1966.
Game and Fish began investigating Craig in the fall of 1999. Now retired game wardens Chris Daubin and Brad Gibb investigated the case. After collecting evidence and completing the case, four must-appear citations were issued and two additional violations were pending. Craig was scheduled to appear in court in late October 1999 but failed to do so and fled to Alabama. A bench warrant was issued in February 2000, but Craig remained outside Wyoming until his recent arrest.
“There is no statute of limitations for wildlife crimes in Wyoming,” said Lander Region Wildlife Supervisor Jason Hunter. “Cases like these send a clear message: wildlife crimes will not be ignored, no matter how much time has passed.
“Lawful sportsmen take great care to apply for the correct licenses in the correct areas and follow the existing laws and regulations. It shows respect for the resource, too. Violators must be held accountable when they don't follow the rules. This ensures there are opportunities for all users to enjoy the wildlife resource well into the future.”
While all the original investigating officers, prosecutors and judges involved in the case have since retired, Fremont County Attorney Pat LeBrun and Assistant County Attorney Ember Oakley pursued the charges based on the detailed case reports compiled by officers at the time.
“I'm pleased that Mr. Craig has been held accountable for his wildlife crimes in Wyoming,” Oakley said. “This case demonstrates the exceptional work of our Wyoming wardens and their dedication to thorough investigations. Even 20 years after the crime, we were able to pick the case up and complete the prosecution. Their top-notch work is essential to protecting our state's wildlife.”
Game and Fish officers routinely follow up on unsolved cases, unpaid fines and outstanding warrants related to wildlife crimes. Reports from the public remain a critical tool in identifying and investigating violations.
Anyone with information on past or present wildlife crimes is encouraged to contact the Stop Poaching Hotline at 877-WGFD-TIP or submit an online report at wgfd.wyo.gov/enforcement. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward through the Wyoming Wildlife Protector’s Association.
