A Couple on a Flight Boasted of Illegal Hunting. Wildlife Officers Were Listening.

In November 2023, a California couple inadvertently revealed their illegal activities to undercover wildlife officers during a flight. Byron Lee Fitzpatrick and Shannon Lee Price discussed smuggling an endangered turtle skull and their past mountain lion hunting. After a year, they reached a plea agreement for violating wildlife laws, resulting in fines and probation barring them from hunting. The officers, who were not in uniform, engaged with the couple when they shared their exploits, demonstrating how casual conversations can lead to significant legal repercussions.

The couple casually boasted about illegally hunting protected species and carrying endangered wildlife artifacts in their luggage, not realizing the officers were listening.

After chatting with undercover wildlife officers during their flight, the couple was later fined and placed on probation for their illegal activities.

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