If the charge is reduced from a felony-level theft to a misdemeanor, as
would be the case where the total fines levied against the defendant
amounted to less than $1000, the charge is prosecuted under a statute that
punishes a perpetrator who cuts or destroys timber growing on public
lands, removes the said timber with intent to export or dispose of it, or
knowingly transports illegally cut timber or lumber.50 Punishment under
this statute carries a maximum of one-year imprisonment and/or fines.51 If
a perpetrator is found to have illegally cut or damaged timber that has not
yet been removed from the site, he can be charged with the misdemeanor of
cutting or injuring trees on public lands, which similarly carries a penalty
of up to one year imprisonment and/or fines.52 In addition to being charged
for the actual theft, a timber thief can also be charged with willfully
damaging or destroying government property.53 This statute is typically
utilized to charge a thief with damaging surrounding resources, such as
roads, watersheds, and archaeological sites during the course of committing
the theft, and usually accompanies a theft charge.54 If the damage exceeds
$1000, a perpetrator can face up to ten years in prison and/or fines.55 For
lesser amounts, punishment is reduced to a maximum of one-year
imprisonment and/or fines.56