Colchester Man Sentenced to a Year of Imprisonment for Federal Migratory Bird Poaching Violations and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Jeremiah Ruhl, 46, of Colchester, Vermont was sentenced today to twelve months and a day in prison by U.S. District Court Judge William K. Sessions III.  Ruhl had previously pled guilty to the unlawful killing of a crow and woodcock without a license and unlawful possession of a turkey vulture without a permit. All three of these birds are “migratory birds” and protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Ruhl also pled guilty to unlawfully possessing a Stevens .410 shotgun after having previously been convicted of a felony. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Sessions ordered Ruhl to serve two years on federal supervised release after he is released from prison. 

Ruhl previously pled guilty to these offenses in September 2019 and was referred to participate in the Federal Drug Court program in Burlington. In July 2021, Ruhl’s participation in the Drug Court was terminated by the Court due to multiple violations of release conditions, including dishonesty and continued drug use.  If Ruhl successfully completed Drug Court, he would have avoided additional incarceration.

The Government argued in its sentencing memorandum that a jail sentence was appropriate given the aggravating factors in the case, in particular the defendant’s long history of violating Vermont’s game laws, which stands in stark contrast to his professed affection for Vermont’s wildlife. 

Acting United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt stated: “Federal firearm laws apply equally to all types of firearms, from handguns to hunting rifles.  Those who are prohibited from possessing firearms and use them to engage in criminal conduct must be held accountable.  I commend the thorough investigation of the State Game Wardens in the Law Enforcement Division of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, the Colchester Police Department, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.” 

Colonel Jason Batchelder of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department stated: “Thanks to our dedicated State Game Warden investigators, and federal agents and prosecutors working in concert, crimes against the natural resources of Vermont and migratory bird species we share with neighboring states, will see an appropriate response.”

Ruhl faced a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000 for the possession of a firearm-by-a-felon violation. For the Migratory Bird Treaty Act violations, Ruhl faced a maximum of six months imprisonment and a $5,000 fine for each of the three counts. 

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Perella. Ruhl is represented by Steven Barth of the Federal Public Defenders Office.