CHEYENNE – According to a press release last week from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, a Cheyenne man was recently sentenced on multiple fishing-related violations. 

“On December 18, 2024, First Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Thomas Lee sentenced Angel Smith-Torres, as part of a plea agreement. Smith-Torres plead no contest to one charge each of fishing without a valid license and taking wildlife under suspension,” the department explained. “The charges were the most recent of multiple wildlife violations Smith-Torres committed, and stem from a 2022 case in which he was charged with and plead guilty to illegally releasing live fish into a Wyoming water.”

According to the department, Smith-Torres, a self-proclaimed social media influencer and nonprofit head, caused significant and damaging impacts to several Wyoming waters in the recent years with the illegal transportation and release of live fish. The department further explained and investigation began in May 2022, where Wyoming Game and Fish Department Regional Wildlife Supervisor Matt Withroder began looking into an illegal smallmouth bass stocking case. Withroder discovered Smith-Torres had released the bass into Sloan’s Lake near Cheyenne. 

“Withroder’s investigation revealed a self-recorded video of Smith-Torres releasing smallmouth bass. In it, Smith-Torres states the fish came from Grayrocks Reservoir near Wheatland. Smith-Torres was charged with the illegal transportation of live fish and releasing live fish without authorization,” the department’s release explained. 

Smith-Torres plead guilty to each charge and received $870 in fines, one-year unsupervised probation and a 30-day suspended jail sentence on January 4, 2023. Smith-Torres had his fishing and hunting privileges were suspended for 10 years. The department also explained Smith-Torres will also have his privileges suspended in the other 49 Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact participating states.

The department indicated a week after Smith-Torres had plead guilty to his charges, a tip was received on the Stop Poaching Hotline where it was reported Smith-Torres was ice fishing at Sloan’s Lake the previous weekend. The department also noted recent social media posts showed Smith-Torres holding a small perch and a fishing rod.

“Additional social media posts and observations by game wardens over the next several months documented Smith-Torres fishing in multiple waters in Wyoming, Alabama and Nebraska,” the department explained. “On September 8, 2023, a six-charge affidavit and one charge for violating probation conditions triggered the Laramie County Circuit Court to issue two arrest warrants for Smith-Torres. The six wildlife infractions were three counts of fishing without a valid license and three counts of taking wildlife while under suspension.”

Smith-Torres was arrested on January 16, 2024, when he was stopped for a traffic violation by the Wyoming Highway Patrol. 

“His December 2024 plea agreement, approved by Judge Lee, included an additional nine-year suspension of his hunting and fishing licenses, one year of probation and a suspended jail sentence for fishing without a license and taking wildlife under suspension charges. In exchange, two additional counts of each of those charges were dismissed. For his violation of probation, Smith-Torres received a 30-day jail sentence to begin immediately, with credit for eight days served after his traffic arrest,” the fish and game department explained. 

According to the department, Smith-Torres has a history of other fish-related violations which date back to 2016. Charges include failing to purchase aquatic invasive species decals for watercraft, failing to purchase a conservation stamp, fishing without a license and processing fish when the species or number cannot be determined. Records indicate the violations resulted in $500 in fines. 

“Smith-Torres also operated a nonprofit organization called #TeachKids2Fish and frequented area lakes daily, often wearing a Pikachu costume, taking youth fishing and giving away fishing gear. According to records his nonprofit organization has been administratively dissolved since May 9, 2023,” the game and fish department explained. 

“’It is unfortunate that one person’s bad actions can cause so much damage to our state’s fisheries through illegal releases like this,’” Alan Osterland, game and fish chief of fisheries said in the release. “’However, a concerned citizen’s willingness to report suspicious behaviors led us to catch Smith-Torres, which is critical in cases like these and we welcome all reports and tips.’” 

Illegal introductions of invasive goldfish have been documented in recent years in Renner Reservoir near Cody as well as multiple bodies of water near Rock Springs. The department also explained illegally introduced yellow perch were found in Saratoga Lake in 2021. 

“Eradicating or suppressing these illegal introductions in Wyoming waters and later having to restock them has cost Game and Fish and the sportspersons of Wyoming hundreds of thousands of dollars. Saratoga Lake’s restoration cost Game and Fish more than $130,000. Illegal introductions can have massive ecological implications, such as walleye in Buffalo Bill Reservoir, burbot in Flaming Gorge Reservoir and yellow perch in Saratoga Lake. These cases still remain unsolved,” the game and fish explained. 

“’Just because someone operates a nonprofit or is a social media influencer doesn’t mean we should automatically trust them as a credible source — or to teach our children,’” Nish Goicolea, game and fish communications and education chief said in the release. “’Conservation and education should be founded in legitimate facts and science from reputable professionals — not a social media influencer acting as a bucket biologist.’”

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department further explained anyone with information on the above cases or other wildlife violations can contact the Stop Poaching Hotline at 877-WGFD-TIP. Callers can remain anonymous and there may be a financial reward made possible through the Wyoming Wildlife Protector’s Association. 

“There is no statute of limitations for wildlife crimes in Wyoming and any person who has been convicted of an illegal introduction may be fined up to $10,000 and may receive up to one year in jail. If convicted a person could receive up to a lifetime revocation of privileges and could potentially result in having to pay civil damages,” game and fish concluded.