PORT ANGELES — A Sequim man accused of illegal hunting after a two-county poaching investigation has pleaded not guilty to 11 counts in Clallam County Superior Court.
Wyatt J. Beck, 24, of Sequim pleaded not guilty Friday to seven counts of first-degree unlawful hunting of big game, two counts of first-degree unlawful transportation of wildlife and single counts of waste of wildlife and unlawful hunting on the property of another.
A one-week trial was scheduled for Dec. 9.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife alleged that Beck helped Jason B. Hutt poach three bears and three deer in Clallam County — and two elk in Jefferson County — in the summer of 2018.
Hutt, 29, also of Sequim, has pleaded not guilty to 16 illegal hunting charges in Clallam County.
Fish and Wildlife officials alleged that Hutt and Beck illegally killed the game in Clallam County between June 1 and Sept. 4, 2018.
Hutt and Beck were each charged in Jefferson County Superior Court this month with two counts of first-degree accomplice to unlawful hunting of big game in connection to the illegal hunting of two bull elk in Brinnon.
Fish & Wildlife Sgt. Kit Rosenberger has said one elk carcass was found near Brinnon School and a second carcass, which was left to rot, was found on private property nearby.
Beck was charged in Clallam County Superior Court on Aug. 26 and appeared in court as summoned Friday.
Clallam County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Snipe recommended that Beck be released on his personal recognizance.
“I don’t see significant (criminal) history here, nor significant community safety concerns,” Snipe said.
Clallam County Superior Court Judge Brent Basden granted Snipe’s request that Beck be prohibited from hunting until his case is resolved.
“We’ll agree to those conditions, judge,” said Port Townsend attorney Ben Critchlow, who is representing Beck in his Clallam County case.
Basden scheduled a status conference in Beck’s case for Nov. 7.
Hutt posted a $10,000 bail bond Sept. 6 and awaits a Oct. 10 court hearing.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
