State v. Jung Ho Yi

OPINION

COATS, Chief Judge.

It is a misdemeanor offense to purchase, sell, or barter bear parts.1 Bethel, Alaska, is a “damp” community where it is legal to possess alcohol for one’s personal use, but it is a felony offense to buy, sell, or trade alcohol.2 The defendant in this case, Jung Ho Yi, traded two bottles of Crown Royal Whiskey for a bear gallbladder which was offered by undercover Alaska State Trooper Gary Paeolt. Approximately three weeks later, Yi engaged in another similar transaction with Trooper Paeolt. When the State charged Yi with these criminal offenses, Yi defended on the…