ROCK SPRINGS (WNE) — A Green River taxidermist has been ordered to pay restitution to several clients following an investigation by Wyoming Game and Fish Department Game Wardens.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Game Warden Kim Olson reported that the owner of White Mountain Skulls, Naomie Martinez, had failed to submit her records for 2020.

Martinez had also failed to renew her taxidermist license for 2021.

Game Warden Kelli Pauling contacted Martinez, who was in possession of more than seventy unfinished taxidermy specimens.

Martinez was charged for operating as a taxidermist without a license, failing to submit records in a timely manner, and transporting game without a game tag within Wyoming.

In January, she  pleaded guilty to failing to submit records and shipping\transporting game without a game tag within Wyoming.

She was fined $435.00 and ordered to pay restitution to clients totaling $2,858.55. She was also placed on twelve months unsupervised probation.

The charge for operating without a license was dismissed.

The majority of the wildlife specimens seized during the investigation have been returned to their legal owners who were able to claim their property by producing photos from the field which were compared to the specimens seized from Martinez.

Game and Fish has been unable to identify the owners of three skulls with antlers that were part of this case.

Anyone missing property that was left in the care of WhiteMountain Skulls, may contact the Green River Regional Office at 307-875- 3223.