Wisconsin DNR News Release

Argyle man pleads to timber theft

News Release Published: April 15, 2009 by the South Central Region

Contact(s): Jeff King Conservation Warden Darlington (608) 482-2263

DARLINGTON – A rural Argyle man pled no contest last week in Lafayette County Circuit Court to timber theft on public land.

Gregory D. Stamm, 51, was ordered by Circuit Judge William D. Johnston to pay Scott Olson Logging, Monroe, $2046.19 in restitution and serve five days in jail. Judge Johnston also placed Mr. Stamm on one year probation.

The sentencing stems from events surrounding a 95-acre timber sale on DNR managed land at the Yellowstone Wildlife Area where the logging firm bought the timber and harvested wood during the winter and early spring of 2008.

The logs were stacked in a staging area pending transport when DNR forester Matt Singer, Darlington, noticed the logs missing in Aug. 2008. Upon contacting Mr. Olson, state foresters were told that his company had not transported the logs off site.

Conservation warden Jeff King, Darlington, and Mr. Singer launched an investigation soon after and their search led to Yellowstone Chalet Campground, located just east of Yellowstone Lake State Park and operated by Mr. Stamm.

“Mr. Stamm ultimately cut and split for sale to visiting campers logs that were taken (from state land) without permission and owned by another,” noted warden King.

The results of warden King’s investigation were turned over the Lafayette County District Attorney’s Office in Oct. 2008 and a plea agreement reached on April 8, 2009.

“Trees, whether standing or fallen are someone’s property in most cases,” said warden King. “Taking timber without the landowner’s permission is really no different in a legal sense than taking a boat from someone’s yard. In this case, the trees were taken from state land, but were still owned privately by the logger who bought them.”

“If a person wants to obtain trees for whatever reason, always consult with the landowner or property manager first, even if they appear to be in a public place such as state lands or road right-of-ways, as they are property that belong to someone,” he added.