TUCSON, Ariz. – Janay Brun, 38, of Arivaca, Ariz., was charged by complaint with a prohibited take of an endangered species, namely the jaguar (Panthera onca) known as Macho B.

“The Endangered Species Act is intended to protect animals like Macho B, who may have been the last living Jaguar in Arizona, from vanishing forever,” said U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke. “I want to thank the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their thorough investigation of this matter.”

According to the complaint filed in U.S. District Court, on February 4, 2009 near Ruby, Ariz. Janay Brun placed jaguar scat or was directed to place jaguar scat at snare sites in an attempt to capture and trap an endangered species, to wit, a jaguar (Panthera onca). Brun knew that there had been recent evidence of a jaguar in the area of the snares. The snares had been set solely for the purpose of capturing and placing tracking collars on mountain lions and bears. There was no authorization to intentionally capture a jaguar. A jaguar known as Macho B was caught at one of those snare sites on February 18, 2009.

A conviction for a prohibited take of an endangered species carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison, a $100,000 fine or both. In determining an actual sentence, the judge will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence.

A criminal complaint is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The prosecution is being handled by Ryan P. DeJoe, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Tucson.