Walla Walla man pleads guilty to wildlife trafficking and unlicensed rehabilitation
By Dan Thesman on Tuesday, May 19th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
WALLA WALLA — Benjamin William Tucker Read of Walla Walla entered guilty pleas Monday in Walla Walla County Superior Court to charges involving wildlife trafficking and unlicensed rehabilitation.
Appearing before Judge Patricia Fulton, Read, 22, pleaded guilty to first-degree unlawful trafficking in fish, shellfish, or wildlife for possessing a mountain goat hide. He also pleaded guilty to engaging in wildlife rehabilitation without a license.
Walla Walla County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tyler Hensley recommended 15 days in jail, to be converted to 100 hours of community service. Defense attorney Robin Olson reviewed the seven-page agreement with Read, who waived his trial rights.
Fulton scheduled Read’s sentencing for June 1.
A Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife investigation began in April 2025 following reports that Read and Austen Dean Devaney, 20, were operating the unpermitted “Feathers and Scales Sanctuary” and taxidermy business “Osteo-Artistry” which led to a search warrant at a College Place apartment. Officers discovered filthy conditions and a freezer filled with illegal animal carcasses — including a cougar, hawk, owl, and otters — all lacking the state-mandated legal documentation.
Devaney’s case is still pending.
File photo of apartment via College Place Police Department
