Repeat deer poacher arrested again

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A known Sacramento deer poacher is facing new charges just hours after he was sentenced for a previous poaching conviction.
Lofoo Saeturn, 43, of Sacramento, was contacted by California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) wardens on Dec. 2 after returning to his home from the Sacramento County Courthouse. Saeturn had just been sentenced to 270 days in jail for unlawful possession of deer meat and possession of deer meat for sale. The jail term had been converted to home monitoring and a search and seizure clause was added to his probation terms.

Wardens allege that Saeturn was in possession of poached deer again between his first arrest and the sentencing. Acting under the search and seizure clause, wardens met Saeturn upon his return home from the courthouse. They conducted a search of the residence and seized two bags of what appeared to be deer meat. Saeturn insisted it was beef. The meat was analyzed by Dr. Jeff Rodzen of DFG’s Wildlife Forensics Laboratory in Rancho Cordova. Last week, results from the analysis confirmed that the meat was from two female deer, unrelated to the original case.

The new case is pending with the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office.
Saeturn’s previous arrest and conviction was the result of an intensive investigation into the source of deer remains found in the critical deer winter range of El Dorado County in December 2008. Evidence showed that Saeturn and an accomplice were poaching the deer for later sale, and he was arrested in the act of selling deer meat.

While serving a search warrant at Saeturn’s residence in January 2009, wardens found clear evidence of 11 individual deer along with 200 lbs of deer meat. DNA analysis of the meat by Dr. Rodzen ultimately identified parts of 28 individual deer. Saeturn was convicted of the offenses.

“Poachers, especially repeat offenders, have potential to cause tremendous damage to local deer herds in the Sierra.” said Nancy Foley, Chief of DFG’s Law Enforcement Division. “Winter is especially problematic because deer congregate in the lower elevation, making them easier targets.”

Saeturn was also cited in 2004 for possession of 88 juvenile salmon and possession of a sturgeon caught by using the salmon as bait. He was also cited in 2007 for a minor fishing violation.

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