Tim Larsen, AP Troy Gentry, one-half of the hit duo Montgomery Gentry, has denied through an attorney that he broke federal law by illegally tagging a tame black bear while in Minnesota nearly two years ago.
Troy is accused of killing a tame black bear that he bought from Lee Marvin Greenly in Sandstone, Minn., in Oct. of 2004. According to the government, the two killed the animal in a pen, and then claimed that the bear was killed in the wild. Falsely tagging the bear in such a manner is a violation of the federal Lacey Act. A jury trial in Duluth, Minn., has been scheduled for Nov. 27. Troy’s Minneapolis-based attorney, Ron Meshbesher, has issued a statement, saying that, “Troy absolutely denies that he knowingly and willfully did anything illegal, and is confident he will be exonerated.” The statement adds that, “Troy is an avid environmentalist and hunter who supports and follows all game laws.”
KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- The Boomsday festival, expanded this year to three days, promises more than just fireworks. Many Knoxville residents are outraged by the alleged actions of a festival headliner.
Star country duo Montgomery Gentry has been in the spotlight for weeks over charges that Troy Gentry killed a tame black bear while it was penned.
Gentry, 39, is accused of buying a black bear named "Cubby" from a wildlife photographer and hunting guide, Lee Marvin Greely. Authorities allege Gentry killed the bear with a bow and arrow in an enclosed pen.
Authorities also allege Gentry tagged the bear as a wild kill, videotaped the event, then edited it to look like it was a fair kill.
Some Knoxville residents, like Judy McLean, say they are disgusted and plan to boycott the Friday night event.
"We will probably go and watch fireworks. But we will not pay for tickets. We will not sponsor that financially in any way. I don't want my money to go to reward Troy Gentry on his kill. He murdered this bear as far as I'm concerned," McLean says.
6 News found other letters to the editor in the Halls Shopper and the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Gary Picou, of Knoxville, writes, "Gentry is not a good fit for Knoxville-- Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains."
Connie Melton, of Powell, writes, "I call upon animal lovers to join me in protesting Mr. Gentry at his performance."
The Humane Society of Tennessee Valley has received several emails and phone calls from outraged animal lovers. Vicky Crosetti says some residents have told her they plan to protest outside the concert venue.
6 News spoke to Boomsday organizers. Spokeswoman Erin Freeman says they do not think the concert should be canceled. They are working with the Knoxville Police Department and want to stress Boomsday will be a safe, family friendly event, even if there are a few protesters.
"I would encourage everyone to not let this situation destroy your image of what Boomsday is all about and still come out and enjoy this great event," Freeman says.
Montgomery Gentry's web site has a statement posted that says Troy Gentry has hired the best trial attorney in the state of Minnesota.
He is not allowed to make any comments about this case. However, a spokeswoman says all the charges against Gentry are completely inaccurate. She says Gentry is disheartened and calls the incident a travesty of justice.
Federal Indictment Alleges Montgomery Gentry Member Killed a Tame Bear
Troy Gentry of the duo Montgomery Gentry has pleaded innocent to federal charges stemming from the killing of a tame black bear in Minnesota in 2004. Gentry, 39, of Franklin, Tenn., and Lee Marvin Greenly, 46, of Sandstone, Minn., appeared Tuesday (Aug. 15) in U.S. District Court in Duluth, Minn., after a federal grand jury in Minneapolisreturned an indictment alleging the two men had claimed the trophy-caliber bear named Cubby was killed in the wild.
The indictment states that Greenly, owner of the Minnesota Wildlife Connection in Sandstone, sold the bear to Gentry for approximately $4,650. The bear was one of several tame animals housed by Greenly for use in his wildlife photography business. Following the sale, Gentry allegedly killed the bear with a bow and arrow while the animal was enclosed in a pen on Greenly's property. The bear's death was videotaped, and federal prosecutors allege that the tape was later edited to make it appear as though Gentry killed the animal in a normal hunting situation.
Greenly and Gentry allegedly tagged the bear with a Minnesota hunting license and registered the animal with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as if it had been killed in the wild. The animal's hide was subsequently shipped to a taxidermist in Kentucky for mounting.
The case, which stemmed from an investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is being prosecuted under the Lacey Act, a federal law that prohibits trade in wildlife, fish and plants that have been illegally taken, possessed, transported or sold.
Gentry's manager, Johnny Dorris, responded to the charges in a written statement.
"Our artist Troy Gentry, half of the country music duo Montgomery Gentry, appeared in a Duluth, Minn., court ... to plead not guilty to charges he hunted a black bear without the proper permit approximately two years ago," Dorris said. "He relied on the knowledge and expertise of a local guide to obtain the proper permit. Troy felt what he did was legal and in full compliance of the law and was surprised to hear of the indictment. Troy is an avid outdoorsman and has great respect for the laws that protect our natural resources. He expects to be exonerated when all of the facts are brought to light."
If convicted, Gentry and Greenly face a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a $20,000 fine for falsely labeling the bear as if it had been killed in the wild.Greenly also faces five years in prison and a $20,000 fine on each of the two other charges that he unlawfully established and maintained multiple bear-baiting stations and hunting stands where two clients allegedly shot and killed two black bears in 2005. Gentry was not involved in the 2005 incident.
Both Gentry and Greenly are free on a personal recognizance bond pending their next court appearance. The indictment, returned on July 25, was sealed pending Gentry and Greenly's court appearance.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006; Posted: 9:44 p.m. EDT (01:44 GMT)
DULUTH, Minnesota (AP) -- Troy Lee Gentry, of the country singing duo Montgomery Gentry, has been accused of killing a tame black bear that federal officials say he tagged as killed in the wild.
Gentry, 39, of Franklin, Tennessee, and Lee Marvin Greenly, 46, of Sandstone, appeared Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Raymond Erickson in connection with a sealed indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Minneapolis.
Authorities allege that Gentry purchased the bear from Greenly, a wildlife photographer and hunting guide, then killed it with a bow and arrow in an enclosed pen on Greenly's property in October 2004.
The government alleges that Gentry and Greenly tagged the bear with a Minnesota hunting license and registered the animal with the state Department of Natural Resources as a wild kill.
Gentry allegedly paid about $4,650 for the bear, named Cubby. The bear's death was videotaped, and the tape later edited so Gentry appeared to shoot the animal in a "fair chase" hunting situation, the government alleges.
If convicted, both Gentry and Greenly face a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a $20,000 fine.
Gentry's manager, Johnny Dorris, said Wednesday that Gentry, an outdoorsman and hunter, expects to be exonerated.
Gentry "relied on the knowledge and expertise of a local guide to obtain the proper permit," Dorris said in a written statement. "Troy felt what he did was legal and in full compliance of the law and was surprised to hear of the indictment."
Greenly did not return a phone message seeking comment.
Montgomery Gentry, along with co-singer Eddie Montgomery, are known for hits such as "My Town" and "If You Ever Stop Loving Me."
Singer Troy Gentry (of Montgomery Gentry) in hot water over death of tamed black bear
Troy Lee Gentry, part of the chart-topping country music act Montgomery Gentry, is facing some legal trouble over the death of a tamed black bear (said to be named Cubby) that federal officials say the singer bought for $4,650, killed, and then tagged the animal as being “killed in the wild.”
The 39-year-old singer from Franklin, Tennessee appeared in court on Tuesday before the U.S. Magistrate Judge Raymond Erickson. The appearance (which also involved wildlife photographer and hunting guide Lee Marvin Greenly, 46 and of Sandstone) was part of a sealed indictment that was brought before a federal grand jury in Minneapolis.
Gentry has been accused of purchasing the black bear from Greenly, and killing the animal with a bow and arrow. Federal authorities claim the killing took place on Greenly’s property in October 2004 while the animal was in an enclosed pen.
Authority’s further claim that the singer and Greenly then tagged and registered the animal as a wild kill with the state’s Department of Natural Resources.
If convicted of the crime, the singer could be facing a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a $20,000 fine. Gentry’s handlers have stated that they expect him to be found innocent of the crime.
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Troy Gentry, one-half of the hit duo Montgomery Gentry, has denied through an attorney that he broke federal law by illegally tagging a tame black bear while in Minnesota nearly two years ago.