Overview

• Arthur Schubarth, an 80-year-old Montana rancher, pleaded guilty to wildlife trafficking for creating giant hybrid sheep using endangered Marco Polo argali sheep genetic material.
• Schubarth's scheme involved cloning and breeding hybrids to sell to hunting preserves, violating international and federal laws.
• The hybrid sheep, including one named 'Montana Mountain King,' were sold for up to $10,000 each to private hunting facilities.
• Schubarth and co-conspirators forged veterinary certificates and trafficked sheep parts illegally into the U.S. from Kyrgyzstan.
• Sentencing for Schubarth is scheduled for July 11, with each felony count carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.