Sacto 9-1-1: Man pleads guilty to felling century-old trees near Truckee

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Sacto 9-1-1

The Sacramento Bee's Crime blog is a comprehensive report of crime news, trends and information for your community and beyond.

September 11, 2008

Man pleads guilty to felling century-old trees near Truckee

From Bee Correspondent Barbara Barte Osborn:

A 20-year-old man pleaded guilty Tuesday to felling century-old trees that stood on the shoreline of Davies Creek and Stampede Reservoir near Truckee.

John W. Clifton of Truckee and Sierraville pleaded to one count of depredation of government property before U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott.

Following an investigation by Tahoe National Forest officials, Clifton was accused of illegally felling at least three and possibly up to 33 pines averaging 100 to 125 years old and 100 feet tall.

In a plea agreement, Clifton agreed to pay $70,000 restitution for the loss of all 33 trees and for site rehabilitation in exchange for a sentence of five years probation and 500 hours of community service, according to the release.

Clifton is scheduled to be sentenced by Mendez on Dec. 2. If the proposed sentence is not accepted, he will have an opportunity to withdraw his guilty plea and proceed to trial, Scott said in the release.

The maximum penalty for the crime is 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, he said.

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