Maple tree theft leader sentenced

Tree DNA evidence used in trial

TACOMA — The leader of a maple tree poaching ring tied to the theft of several trees and blamed for starting a fire that burned 3,300 acres near Brinnon in 2018 has been sentenced to one year and eight months in prison.

Justin Andrew Wilke, 39, was sentenced to 20 months in prison late Monday in federal district court. He had been convicted in July 2021 of multiple counts of conspiracy, theft of public property, depredation of public property, trafficking in unlawfully harvested timber and attempting to traffic in unlawfully harvested timber.

Between April and August in 2018, Wilke, Shawn Edward Williams, 50, and Lucas Chapman conducted illegal logging operations in the Elk Lake area of the Olympic National Forest, according to court documents.

Wilke and accomplices illegally harvested and sold a type of maple tree that is predominately used in the building of musical instruments, documents said.

This is the first trial where DNA evidence from the maple trees was used to determine the outcome of the investigation, authorities said.

“The DNA analysis was so precise that it found the probability of the match being coincidental was approximately one in one undecillion (one followed by 36 zeroes),” according to the research geneticist Dr. Richard Conn, who was present at the trial.”

The DNA evidence proved that the wood Wilke sold was indeed stolen and that Wilke had unlawfully harvested and sold wood from at least seven additional maple trees, although their locations have not been determined, authorities said.

In August 2018, Wilke and his accomplices attempted to remove a wasp nest from a maple tree they wanted to cut down, using various pesticides and gasoline, and then lit it on fire, according to court documents.

That fire eventually burned 3,300 acres of land and cost $4.2 million in firefighting resources.

Wilke’s accomplices testified it was Wilke who lit the fire, saying he was last seen standing next to the nest when it was lit.

Wilke testified it was Williams who had “attempted a hasty and clumsy harvest of the tree.”

According to court documents, Wilke also placed the blame on another person, Michael Parker, whom investigators said wasn’t involved at all.

Prosecutors recommended a 36-month sentence, saying Wilke was the leader of the tree-poaching ring and had started the fire, based on trial testimony.

The prosecution also alleged Wilke had continued to use methamphetamine and had contact with his girlfriend whom he had “gone on the run” with after the fire started.

They said Wilke had shown no remorse for his actions and did not believe he should pay restitution.

At sentencing, Judge Benjamin H. Settle concluded the evidence was clear and convincing that Wilke was present when the fire was set, that a member of Wilke’s poaching crew set the fire, and that Wilke more likely than not personally set or directed one of his crew to set the fire, even though the jury did not convict Wilke of the two federal counts related to the forest fire.

But he also said Wilke had made “positive strides” while on pretrial release and noted the prison system has become increasingly more complicated due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wilke was ordered to forfeit all of his proceeds from illegal trafficking and will be required to pay restitution to the United States Forest Service. An exact amount has yet to be determined.

________

Reporter Ken Park can be reached at kpark@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Matthew Nash / Olympic Peninsula News Group
Rick Godfrey stands with his Boy Scouts of America achievements on his office’s wall, including his merit badges and Troop 490 photos. In 1950, he was the youngest scout in the state to earn his Eagle Scout, the highest rank in scouting. The troop celebrated 100 years at a special dinner on Saturday at the Sequim Masonic Lodge.
Sequim troop celebrates centennial with dinner

Scout organization began in 1925 in a Sunday school class

Jefferson County board takes on transportation benefit district

Tax, license fee expected to bring in $1 million

Clallam County commissioners discuss reservoir design

Consensus reached on two-cell option

Firefighters respond to a house fire at West Sixth Street and Cherry Street on Friday in Port Angeles. (Port Angeles Fire Department)
Home destroyed in Port Angeles house fire

Residents escaped a house fire at West Sixth Street… Continue reading

Five workshops to repair broken items set this spring

JeffCo Repair will sponsor five workshops where fixers will… Continue reading

Kathy Cruz/Olympic Peninsula News Group
Mary Montgomery-Crumley dishes up helpings of salad at “Soup’s On.” Lunch also included a biscuit, two versions of minestrone soup, one vegetarian, one with chicken, and chocolate chip butterscotch bars.
‘Soup’s On’ free lunch at St. Luke’s draws varied crowd of helpers, diners

Melissa, a member of Sequim’s Friends Together, a group that… Continue reading

At a recent site visit, North Olympic Library System Facilities Manager Brian Phillips and SHKS Architect Pia Westen examine construction progress at the Sequim Library as it’s being renovated and expanded. NOLS leaders anticipate reopening the facility in June. (North Olympic Library System)
Sequim library may open in June

Fall campaign brings in more than $500K in donations

Mike Speer of Bonney Lake, the brother of Sherry Nagel, a former board member of the YMCA of the Olympic Peninsula, cuts a ceremonial ribbon on Jan. 28 courtesy of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce to commemorate a new bus that Nagel’s estate helped fund. The bus is dedicated in Nagel’s honor. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
YMCA honors late board member with new bus

Sherry Nagel’s estate, Forest Foundation provide funds

Immigration fears hit Olympic Peninsula

Law enforcement agencies won’t deport individuals

Local immigrants worry about federal orders

As President Donald Trump steps into office and reports… Continue reading

Jefferson commissioners to discuss sheriff appointment

Three candidates named by Jefferson County Democrats

Eric Spencer, a landscaping and janitorial worker for New Life Open Bible Church, clears snow from a sidewalk next to the church at Sixth and Peabody streets in Port Angeles on Thursday morning. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
After snowfall, cold temperatures expected today

Morning commutes could continue to be icy, weather service says