They set the hounds loose again a few miles down the road. Agent Hoang became concerned about the way some of the dogs were being treated. He saw Henry Jessup pick up one of his dogs by the collar and the tail. In a fit of anger, Jessup threw the yelping dog off the side of the road. That dog must have been sore or injured, because it didn’t want to hunt. Jessup threw it back in the dog box and took out another. Hoang couldn’t help but feel that Henry was taking out his anger over not killing that little bear on the dogs. Some of Neeley’s dogs wouldn’t stop barking, so Neeley used his stun gun on them.
These are swell people, thought Hoang.
After an hour or so, another bear was treed. Just as Agent Hoang was about to follow the group up the mountainside to the treed bear, he was cornered by Jason Lee and Henry Jessup.
“This bear is wild and unpredictable,” said Lee. “You will need to do exactly as I say.” Hoang wondered what this was really all about. Lee provided a little insight: “If you are not ready to shoot and the bear is going to get away, would it be all right if I shoot it?”
What is this? thought Hoang. I was under the impression that the guy with the bear tag was supposed to shoot the bear, not the guide.
It didn’t take Agent Hoang long to figure out that these people had no interest in the sport of hunting; every bear represented a significant amount of money—the sooner it was killed and processed, the sooner they could go on to the next one. Not wanting to draw attention to himself, Hoang responded, “You’re the guide.”
The treed bear was on a steep slope, uphill from the road. Henry Jessup was already there, holding several barking hounds on a leash. Lee stood directly under the tree, holding a rifle. Agent Hoang was still downslope, positioning himself for a clear shot at the bear. The last thing he wanted to do was take a risky shot and wound the animal.
Agent Hoang continued to mill about, trying to see the bear through the thick branches.
“Come on, hurry up!” yelled Lee, angrily.
A shot rang out, originating from Lee’s rifle. “It was coming down,” he shouted.
“Sure it was,” mumbled Hoang, sarcastically.
Fortunately Hoang’s spontaneous slip of the tongue was drowned out by the hounds’ monotonous, nonstop barking. Agent Hoang could see the bear well enough to know that it had no intention of coming down. Lee’s first shot had missed the bear but caused it to change positions.
Art Jessup was standing next to Hoang as Lee fired a second shot. This time the bear was clearly hit. A medium-sized brown-colored bear crashed through the branches and fell to the ground. Landing on its back, the wounded animal climbed to its feet and lumbered down the hill.
“One of my dogs is loose!” shouted Henry Jessup. He grabbed Lee’s rifle and chased after the wounded bear. Lee followed Jessup. Just as Lee was out of sight, two more shots rang out. Jessup had obviously killed the bear, but by the time Hoang got there, Lee was again holding the rifle. Agent Hoang never did see the alleged loose dog that Henry Jessup seemed so concerned about.
“This bear weighs about two hundred and fifty pounds,” said Lee. “Shoot it here.” Hoang noticed that Lee was pointing at the bear’s neck.
“Isn’t it already dead?” asked Hoang.
“Just shoot it!” ordered Lee, obviously irritated.
Knowing that the bear was already dead but not wanting to antagonize Lee any further, Agent Hoang fired a shot into the bear’s neck. Photographs were taken of Hoang and the others with the dead bear.
“Where’s your bear tag?” asked Henry Jessup.
Hoang handed Jessup the tag. Jessup fiddled with the tag and placed it inside the bear’s right ear. He finished by taking a strip of duct tape and taping the ear closed, around the tag.
Henry and Art Jessup rolled the bear down the hillside to the road, where more photographs were taken. Henry Jessup and Jason Lee gutted the bear. Hoang paid close attention to where the bear’s gallbladder ended up. Lee removed it and tied it off with a string. He then placed it inside a plastic baggie and handed it to Hoang. The bear was eventually loaded into Art Jessup’s pickup.
Everyone went back to the original Forest Service road intersection. Without taking a break, Jason Lee, Art Jessup, Hu and several others headed out again, in pursuit of a bear for Hu.
Agent Hoang, Henry Jessup, Park and a few others broke for lunch. “Me and Hal are gunna go look for a lost dog,” said Henry Jessup. “Park is gunna take the rest o’ ya down to Jimmy’s camp.”
Agent Hoang agreed to go wherever they wanted to take him. Jimmy and his group were camped down the road a few miles. On the way, Hoang reflected on the briefing that Warden Szody and I had given him on a houndsman named Jimmy. Hoang could not remember Jimmy’s last name, but figured it had to be the same guy.
Sometime around 1:00 p.m., Agent Hoang and the group arrived at Jimmy Westerby’s camp. Judging from the setup, Westerby spent a lot of time there. There were couches, chairs, tables, a water tank and a sink with running water—all in the middle of the woods. Several camp trailers were set up around a central fire pit—a regular modern-day wagon train.
Jimmy Westerby saw Hoang arrive and walked over to greet him. Westerby was tall and lean, over six feet and all muscle. He had greasy, reddish-blond hair and his face was dotted with freckles. What struck Hoang first about Westerby was the exceptionally large hunting knife dangling from his belt.
As the man approached, Hoang recalled our warning. Westerby had a reputation for being unpredictable, irrational and dangerous.
“This is quite a camp,” said Hoang.
“Yeah, this is where I make my livin’ from September through December,” replied Westerby.
While Agent Hoang and Westerby got acquainted, Hoang realized that this was the base camp for a fairly significant bear guiding operation. Later that afternoon, Jason Lee’s assistant, Mr. Park, walked outside the camp carrying a shotgun. Park, whom Hoang had first seen in Lee’s LA office, was a husky five-foot-nine, with short dark hair. He always wore camouflage clothing. Agent Hoang watched Park draw down on a perched Steller’s jay and shoot it out of a tree. Appalled by what he had seen, Hoang grabbed his camera and offered to photograph Park, along with his kill and the Browning gold-engraved shotgun he was carrying. Park had no idea that the photograph would later be used as evidence against him.
Henry Jessup returned to camp after supposedly looking for a lost dog. He walked over to Hoang’s bear and began removing the duct tape from its ear. Jessup had never really filled out the tag, as required by law.
“Hey Quan, come over here,” said Jessup. “I need ya to bring me more hunters.”
Agent Hoang thought for a second before responding, “Well, I have quite a few friends and acquaintances who might like to go bear hunting.”
“How much is Lee chargin’ ya for the hunt?” asked Jessup.
“Fifteen hundred dollars,” replied Hoang.
“Me and Art can guide ya for a thousand,” responded Jessup. “Us guides are gettin’ tired of Lee.” The conversation caught Agent Hoang by surprise. He knew there was no honor among thieves, but this was awfully sudden. “Here’s my business card. Don’t say anything to Jason about this,” said Jessup.
It was after dark when Jason Lee and the rest of the party returned to camp. They had killed another bear. This one had already been skinned and the carcass was cut into sections. Of particular interest to Hoang were the bear’s ears. There was no bear tag attached to either one. Hoang walked over to Jason Lee and asked, “How big is Mr. Hu’s bear?”
Lee and Henry Jessup were reluctant to discuss this particular bear, but Lee answered: “It’s a three hundred pound male.”
While the bear was lying in the bed of Jessup’s pickup, Jessup rolled up some cellophane and stuck it in the bear’s ear. Lee then held the ear while Jessup taped it closed over the cellophane. Without drawing attention to himself, Hoang could not get close enough to see if there was actually a tag inside the bear’s ear.
&
nbsp; The following morning, back at Henry Jessup’s residence, Agent Hoang noticed that the garage door was open and Hu’s bear hide was lying on a bench inside. Hoang entered the garage and managed a close look at the bear’s ear. As the observant agent suspected, the inside of the bear’s ear contained nothing but cellophane. Jessup and Lee had failed to tag the bear. Agent Hoang also noticed that the bear had been shot in the head. He doubted very much that Hu had actually killed the bear. More likely it was Jason Lee or Art Jessup who had fired the fatal shot. Hoang walked outside the garage just as Henry Jessup was coming out of his house.
“I got some questions for ya,” said Jessup.
“I’ll do my best,” replied Hoang.
“What do you guys use the bear galls for?”
“The bear gallbladder, in Asian culture, is revered as a cure-all for many ailments.”
“What kind a prices do ya sell ’em for and how is that determined?”
“That depends on the size of the gallbladder and the market demand.”
Although Agent Hoang had answered Jessup’s questions off the top of his head, Jessup was apparently convinced of Hoang’s legitimacy. Jessup’s next question was the one Agent Hoang had been waiting for: “Are ya interested in some bear galls?”
Agent Hoang did not want to answer too quickly, for fear of appearing over-anxious. He waited a beat or two, then replied, “I might be.”
Jessup asked for Hoang’s phone number, and Hoang obliged. He told Jessup that he frequently traveled to Asia and would not always be available; however, Jessup could leave a message.
“When I run into some gallbladders I would like to be able to call ya and see if you’re interested,” said Jessup.
Again Hoang waited to answer. “Yes,” he said, finally. “If you come into some bear gallbladders, I will gladly do business with you.”
A fleeting smile crossed Henry Jessup’s face. “Let’s keep this between the two of us,” he said. “Don’t mention it to Jason.”
Everyone was preparing for breakfast at Henry Jessup’s house on the morning they were scheduled to leave for home. Henry tapped Agent Hoang on the shoulder and asked if he would like to have breakfast in town with him and Neeley. Hoang glanced over at Jason Lee. It was clear from the look on Lee’s face that he was not pleased about Jessup’s offer and did not want Hoang to accept. Hoang hesitated for a few minutes before telling Henry that he would like to go.
On the way into town, Jessup and Neeley began asking questions about the average price of bear gallbladders. Hoang stuck to his story: it all depended on the size of the gallbladders and the demand at the time.
“I have to ask ya something,” said Jessup. “Are you working for Fish and Game?”
“No,” replied Hoang, narrowing his eyes at the men as though the question was an insult.
“Are ya willing to work out a deal on the gallbladders?” asked Jessup, reaching out and shaking Hoang’s hand.
“Yes,” replied Hoang. “I will contact my parents and see what kind of price we are willing to pay.”
“That’s great,” said Jessup. “Gimme a call when you’re ready.”
“I’ve got some gallbladders in Oregon right now,” said Neeley. “I’ll bring ’em down when you guys get ready to do business.”
During breakfast, Henry Jessup left the table for a few minutes. While Jessup was away, Agent Hoang asked Hal Neeley what Jason Lee was currently paying them for bear galls. Neeley said he would tell him, but Hoang was not to breathe a word of it to Henry or anyone else. According to Neeley, Jason Lee was paying between two hundred fifty and three hundred dollars each, depending on the size. A few minutes later, Jessup came back to the table.
“Henry, what is the going rate for bear galls around here?” asked Hoang.
“Two hundred fifty to three hundred dollars,” replied Jessup.
Henry Jessup’s off the cuff answer came as no surprise. Agent Hoang was not a real businessman, but it didn’t take a financial genius to figure out that Jessup and Neeley were squeezing him to offer more than Lee was paying. That became very clear on the ride back to Jessup’s house.
“Ya know, Quan, you’re going to have to make it worth my while for me to do business with ya. I don’t want to go to jail for a few hundred dollars,” said Jessup. Hoang nodded. As the three men climbed out of the pickup at Jessup’s house, Henry repeated himself. “Remember, Quan, we’ll only do business if it’s worth the risk.”
Jason Lee was busy cleaning bear carcasses when Agent Hoang returned to Jessup’s house. Lee appeared a little miffed at Hoang, but asked him what part of his bear he wanted to take home. Hoang said he wanted the head, hide, paws, gall and some of the meat. Agent Hoang told Lee that he was going to run into town to get some ice for the trip home. He did pick up ice, but Hoang also telephoned his enforcement contacts and advised us of his current status.
When Agent Hoang returned to Jessup’s house, Henry Jessup and Hal Neeley were out in the back by Jessup’s horses. Hoang walked back to thank them and say goodbye. As he was about to walk away, Henry said, “Gimme a call when you’re ready to play ball. When ya call, don’t mention gallbladders over the phone. Refer to the gallbladders as baseball cards and just say you’re ready to play ball.”
It was abundantly clear to Agent Hoang that Jessup and Neeley knew the seriousness of the conspiracy they were engaging in and the possible consequences if they got caught. They might talk like they just fell off the turnip truck, but these two were shrewd characters.
Hoang’s first clue was the little shell game they were playing—stuffing cellophane into the bears’ ears instead of the required, properly filled-out bear tags.
Where are the actual tags going? Hoang wondered. Are they being used to kill additional bears? How many bears are really being taken by the tag holders, as the law requires? My tag was attached to a bear I didn’t shoot and it’s doubtful that Hu shot that three-hundred-pound male bear. Lee seems to have an unending supply of Korean clients from Southern California. Maybe paying for a bear hunt is the client’s way of assuring that the product they’re paying for is authentic.
Finally responding to Henry Jessup’s parting words, Agent Hoang said, “I’ll call you in a week or two.”
Before leaving Jessup’s house, Agent Hoang approached Jason Lee and paid him the remainder of the money owed for the guided bear hunt. He also asked Lee about any contacts he might have who could supply gallbladders. “I know a lot of people who deal in gallbladders,” said Lee, “but I am still uncertain about you. I need to get to know you better before I introduce you to anybody.” Hoang told Lee he didn’t blame him for being careful. Lee responded by inviting Hoang to call if he is in the LA area—they could get together. Hoang said he would and drove away.
V
Agent Hoang telephoned Henry Jessup on November 19, 1996 and began the conversation just as Jessup had instructed.
“Henry, I’m interested in playing ball. Do you have any baseball cards to sell?”
“Yeah, I know a guy with some cards he wants to sell but he’s holding off. He wants a better price than what this regular guy is offering. Call me next time you’re up here. I would like to meet with ya.”
“I definitely will,” responded Hoang
“When do ya think that might be?” asked Jessup.
“I’ll be coming through Redding on December third or fourth, on my way back from Washington.”
“Well, gimme a call and we’ll get together.”
It was about 3:00 p.m., on December 3, 1996, when Agent Hoang returned to Redding and held a short meeting with Anjola, Packwood, Szody and me. I provided Agent Hoang with funds for the gallbladder transaction. Hoang telephoned Henry Jessup from our meeting site.
“I’m in Redding,” said Hoang.
“Oh, you are?” replied Jessup, sounding surprised. Jessup was obviously preoccupied with something and seemed to be uncomfortable talking on the phone. He finally explained to Hoang that Jason Lee was there an
d it was not a good time for him to talk. Jessup asked Hoang how long he was going to be in Redding. Hoang said he would be there until the following evening.
“Okay, call me tomorrow afternoon after Lee and his group leave,” said Jessup.
Agent Hoang telephoned Henry Jessup at 1:00 p.m. the following afternoon. Jessup asked Hoang if he could come by the house. When Hoang arrived, Jessup said he had been trying to get in touch with a guy that he knew had gallbladders. So far he had not been able to reach him by phone. Jessup said he thought the guy with the gallbladders was home, but might be outside. He said he would go to the man’s house and it would probably take about an hour and a half. “I know a lot of people in Siskiyou County and in Oregon who also have gallbladders,” said Jessup. “I just have to go up and get ’em. Bear season is over, but for them it’s not, if ya know what I mean. Call me about three o’clock. I should be back by then.”
Agent Hoang telephoned Henry Jessup at 3:00 p.m. “What did you come up with?” Hoang asked.
“Come on over. I got somethin’ for ya,” said Jessup.
When Hoang arrived, Jessup led him to a refrigerator in his garage. Jessup reached inside and pulled out a large plastic bag containing nine bear gallbladders. “How much are ya willin’ ta pay for these?” Jessup prodded. Hoang carefully examined the gallbladders, pointing out that some were bigger than others. He provided Jessup with a ballpark price range. Jessup walked over to a second refrigerator and pulled out another plastic bag, containing four more gallbladders. The four gallbladders in this bag were two or three times larger than those in the first bag. Hoang did not want to appear too anxious, so he bartered with Jessup for a few minutes and said he wasn’t prepared to buy all of them at that time.
“Could you keep a few of them here for me? I’ll pay you for them next time,” Hoang proposed.
Badges, Bears, and Eagles Page 25
