The man at the center of the wolf torture incident in Daniel apparently worked as a contractor with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department before the incident.
The revelation has wildlife advocates questioning whether his employment had anything to do with him only receiving a $250-dollar fine and charges of a misdemeanor crime, according to Wyoming Tribune Eagle.
In a prepared statement, Game and Fish spokesperson Breanna Ball said the department’s business relationship with Roberts “had no impact whatsoever on the charges or fine levied.”
“All business interactions occurred before the investigation and citation,” Ball said.
Ball said Game and Fish does what it can to employ local contractors — and that Wyoming is small. The population is just north of half a million people, less than half the size of many suburban counties, and Sublette County, in particular, is tiny, home to just about 9,000 people.
“The department values the ability to use local businesses when contracting services to assist with wildlife or habitat projects, whenever possible, and in accordance with the state bid process in an effort to contribute and invest in our local communities,” Ball said.
Game and Fish does have an active contract with Roberts’ business, C Roberts Trucking LLC, which was awarded via the state’s bid process.
The last time Game and Fish used Roberts’ services was in January, and there is no future work scheduled with the trucking company. It’s unclear whether the department will pursue additional contracts with Roberts’ firm, Ball said. His contract is set to expire in June.
Between 2020 and 2024, Roberts’ trucking company worked for the Game and Fish Department at least 12 times, according to the state’s financial transparency platform, WyOpen.gov. In that time, Roberts also worked for the Wyoming Department of Transportation. But he was cited by Game and Fish wardens, not Highway Patrol troopers, which is why wildlife advocates are more heavily scrutinizing those contracts.
