Montana Man Sentenced for Illegal Cloning of Giant Sheep
Arthur “Jack” Schubarth, an 81-year-old Montana man, has been sentenced to six months in prison and fined over $24,000 for illegally breeding and selling gigantic Frankensheep clones to big game preserves. The US District Court Judge handed down the sentence after Schubarth was found guilty of committing felonies in violation of the Lacey Act and international treaties designed to prevent invasive species from harming domestic wildlife. The Department of Justice released a statement detailing the charges on September 30.
[Related: Montana traffickers illegally cloned Frankensheep hybrids for sport hunting.]
Court documents revealed that Schubarth and his collaborators began a conspiracy in 2013 to purchase parts of dead male Marco Polo argali sheep from sellers in Kyrgyzstan. Over the next eight years, Schubarth sent genetic material to a lab to create cloned embryos, which were then inseminated into ewes of various illegal species to produce hybrid offspring. Despite the risks, including the death of two sheep from Johne’s disease, Schubarth eventually succeeded in creating a pure genetic Marco Polo argali named “Montana Mountain King” (MMK).
MMK went on to sire even larger sheep than the average Marco Polo argali male, with his offspring fetching high prices in the market. Schubarth’s actions posed a threat to Montana’s native wildlife species and were driven by a desire for profit. In a statement, DOJ Assistant Attorney General Todd Kimm emphasized the devastating impact of such violations on domestic populations of wild animals.
In a letter submitted with his sentencing memo, Schubarth expressed regret for his actions, stating that his enthusiasm for creating the best sheep clouded his judgment. Despite his family’s financial status, which has suffered as a result of his illegal activities, Schubarth acknowledged his wrongdoing.
The fate of MMK, who is currently in custody of the US Fish and Wildlife Services, remains uncertain. Prosecutors have not commented on potential charges against purchasers of Schubarth’s Frankensheep clones and semen. The case serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of wildlife trafficking and the importance of protecting native species from invasive threats.
