Nevada man convicted for illegal hunt in Idaho

March 9, 2011

BOISE, Idaho (AP) – A Las Vegas man has pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally killing a mule deer in southeastern Idaho and hauling the meat across state lines on his way back home.

Federal prosecutors say 49-year-old Peter Balestracci pleaded guilty Monday to a misdemeanor violation of the Lacey Act. The Lacey Act governs interstate commerce and his decision to take the meat and an antler out of Idaho triggered the federal crime.

Idaho game wardens say Balestracci was hunting near Soda Springs, Idaho, in October when he shot and tagged a deer with a non-resident, junior mentored permit assigned to his son. Idaho hunting law makes it illegal to use and transfer a tag issued to any other hunter.

U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge scheduled sentencing for May 31.

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