WT teacher to face jury trial after pleading not guilty to animal-related charges | KAMR

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) – Officials with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas Amarillo Division announced via court documents Friday that the jury trial of Richard Kazmaier, associate professor of biology at the West Texas A&M University and a Canyon resident, is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Monday, March 28 at Federal Court in Amarillo.

It comes after Kazmaier pleaded not guilty to charges related to importing various wildlife items between March 2017 and February 2020. This includes two counts of breaching the Endangered Species Act as well as a charge of smuggling goods into the United States.

According to previous reports from MyHighPlains.com, Kazmaier imported various animal skulls, skeletons and taxidermy mounts. Kazmaier faces a maximum of 21 years in federal prison and a $350,000 fine if convicted on all three counts.

According to court documents, Kazmaier waived his right to appear during his arraignment, which automatically places a not guilty plea in the system on all three counts.

Kazmaier was released on personal bail, with authorities restricting his travels in the state of Texas and asking him to surrender his passport and not possess a firearm, destructive device or other weapon.

This story is developing. Check with MyHighPlains.com for updates