$70,000 fine for cutting trees

A young man has pleaded guilty to illegally cutting down 100-year-old trees in the Tahoe National Forest on the shore of Davies Creek/Stampede Reservoir north of Truckee.

John W. Clifton, 20, pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court in Sacramento to dropping at least three mature pines that averaged 100 feet in height, according to the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Forest Service.

Investigators for the Forest Service worked with the U.S. Attorney’s office in Sacramento to bring it to court.

“This was an utterly senseless crime,” said U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott. “The defendant’s wanton destruction in this case damaged a protected shoreline and the loss of these mature trees disrupted the natural habitat.”

The accused man, who has Truckee and Sierraville addresses, may have cut down as many as 33 trees at the lake, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Ellen V. Endrizzi.

Lawyers in the case agreed to a recommended sentence of $70,000 restitution for the loss of all 33 trees, five years probation and 500 community service hours.

The defendant will be sentenced on Dec. 2 in federal court and faces a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years probation, the U.S. Attorney’s office said.

If the judge does not accept the recommended sentence, Clifton could withdraw his guilty plea and go to trial.

To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.