David Powell was fined last month after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor of unlawful possession or transportation of game, reportedly an illegally harvested bull elk.

His brother, Aaron Powell, was also fined after pleading guilty to the same charge.

The hunt took place on Zarembo Island in October 2024, according to court records. Neither of the men had a permit to take elk on Zarembo, which the Department of Fish and Game had limited to a single permit for the season awarded to one hunter by lottery.

State Wildlife Trooper Alisha Seward wrote the hunters’ citations for their violations.

The state seized about 28 pounds of elk meat from David Powell, and about 76 pounds of elk meat and antlers, his cellphone and GPS unit from Aaron Powell, according to court records.

On Nov. 18, Petersburg-based Magistrate Judge Rachel Newport fined Aaron Powell $7,000, with $3,000 suspended. The court revoked his hunting license for two years and placed him on probation for three years.

The next week, Sika-based Magistrate Judge Pamela Stahla-Kernin fined David Powell $7,000, with half of that suspended. The court suspended his hunting license for one year. He was placed on probation for the next four years. Powell, who is Wrangell’s vice mayor, told KSTK he had no comment.

Both sentences also required each man to pay a $100 police training surcharge fee, as required by state law. Additionally, they cannot assist other hunters in the field while their licenses are suspended.

A case is still pending against a third man on the same misdemeanor charge of unlawful possession or transportation of game, related to the hunt in October 2024. Wrangell resident Steven Gile has a status hearing scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 10, in Sitka, where Magistrate Stahla-Kernin will review the case’s progression.