By james art 
Jess Oaks
Cheyenne -According to a press release last week by the Wyoming Game and Fish Division, Cheen’s man has recently been sentenced to numerous fishing disorders.
“On December 18, 2024, the judge of the First Judicial District Court, Thomas Lee, condemned Angel Smith-Toros as part of a legal basis agreement. Smith-Torres does not compete for a single fishing charge without a valid license and taking wild animals under stopping, “the department explained. “The allegations were the latest of the numerous wildlife violations that Smith-Toros committed, and came from a case in 2022, in which he was charged and pleaded guilty to the illegal release of live fish in water in Wyoming.”
According to the Department of Smith-Toros, a self-proclaimed influencing and non-profit leader, has caused a significant and harmful effect on several Wyoming waters in recent years with illegal transport and the release of live fish. The department further explained and the investigation began in May 2022, where the Regional Wildlife Head of Wyoming and the Matt Witroder Fish Department began to consider a bass bass case. Withroder discovered that Smith-Toros had released the bass in the Lake of Sloan near Cheen.
“The Withroder investigation revealed a self-recorded video of Smith-Torres, which releases the small bass. In it, Smith-Toros states that the fish came from the Grayrocks tank near Wheatland. Smith-Toros was accused of illegal transportation of live fish and the release of live fish without permission, “explained the announcement of the department.
Smith-Toros pleaded guilty to every prosecution and received $ 870 fines, one-year unsupported probation and a 30-day prison sentence on January 4, 2023. Smith-Togre had her fishing and hunting privileges were terminated for 10 years. The department also explained that Smith-Toros would also be suspended in the other 49 interstate compact countries for wildlife offenders.
The department referred to a week after Smith-Toros pleaded guilty to his accusations, on the hot line of poaching to stop, where it was reported that Smith-Toros was an ice fishing in Lake Sloan the previous weekend. The department also noted that recent social media publications show that Smith-Toros holds a small perch and a fishing rod.
“Additional publications on social media and game observations over the next few months have documented Smith-Toros fishing in multiple waters in Wyoming, Alabama and Nebraska,” the department explained. “On September 8, 2023, a six-charge declaration and one charge of breaching probation conditions triggered the District Court of Laram County to issue two arrest orders for Smith-Toros. The six wildlife violations were three fishing without a valid license and three wildlife taking while under stop. “
Smith-Toros was arrested on January 16, 2024, when he was stopped for a violation of traffic from the Wyoming highway patrol.
“His legal basis agreement in December 2024, approved by Judge Lee, includes an additional nine -year suspension of his hunting and fishing licenses, one year probation and suspended sentence for fishing for fishing without license and claim of wildlife on charges in charges Stopping. In return, two additional issues were rejected. For his violation of probation, Smith-Toros received a 30-day sentence for prison to start immediately, with a loan for eight days serving after his movement, “explained the fish department and play.
According to the department, Smith-tors has a history of other fish-related disorders, the type or number cannot be determined. Records indicate that violations have led to $ 500 fines.
“Smith-Torres also managed a non-profit organization called #Teachkids2Fish and visited lakes in the area every day, often wearing a Pikachu costume, making youth fishing and giving out fishing appliances. According to records, its non -profit organization has been administratively dissolved since May 9, 2023, “explained the game and fish department.
“It is a pity that one person’s bad actions can cause so much damage to our country’s fishing through illegal versions like this,” said Alan Osterland, Fisheries and Fish Chief. “However, the desire of citizens’ concern to report suspicious behavior made us catch Smith-Togge, which is critical in cases like these, and we welcome all reports and advice. ”
The illegal introductions of the invasive goldfish have been documented in recent years in the reservoir of Renner near Cody, as well as in numerous water bodies near Rock Springs. The department also explained that illegally introduced yellow perch were found in Lake Saratoga in 2021.
“The eradication or suppression of these illegal introductions into the waters of Wyoming and later you have to recharge them, costs game and fish, and the sports of Wyoming hundreds of thousands of dollars. The game for restoration of the lake and fish over $ 130,000. Illegal introductions may have massive environmental effects, such as Walleye in the Buffalo Bill tank, Burbot in the flaming tank of the gorge and the yellow perch in Lake Saratoga. These cases still remain unresolved, “explained the game and the fish.
“Just because someone manages a non -profit purpose or influencing on social media does not mean that we have to automatically trust them as a reliable source – or teach our children,” says Nish Goicolea, Game and Fis Communication and Education. “” Conservation and education must be based on legitimate facts and science by reputable professionals – not social media that influence as a biologist of the bucket. “
The Wyoming Game and Fish Division further explained that anyone with information about the above or other wildlife disorders can be linked to the hotline for stopping poaching at 877-WGFD-Tip. Callers may remain anonymous and may have a financial award possible through the Wayoming Wildlife Association.
“In Vayoming, there is no statute of limitations for wildlife crimes and any person who has been convicted of illegal introduction can be fined up to $ 10,000 and can receive up to one year in prison. If the convicted person can receive a lifelong cancellation of privileges and can potentially lead to the fact that he or she has to pay civil damage, “concludes the game and the fish.