THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
A judge resentenced a Grays Harbor County resident for the spree-killing of at least five cow elk, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today. This follows a November 2025 sentencing.
On Friday March 27, Grays Harbor Superior Court Judge Katherine Svoboda sentenced Richard Loren Pratt to serve 116 months concurrently in prison, pay $10,000 in fines, and forfeit two firearms. Pratt, a convicted felon, had plead guilty to unlawful hunting of big game – first degree (class C felony), unlawful possession of a firearm – first degree (class B felony), and wastage of wildlife (gross misdemeanor).
Sentencing details
- Count 1 Unlawful Hunting of Big game 1- Class C felony: 68 months
- Count 2 Unlawful Possession of Firearms that were used in the commission of the crime 1st degree – Class B felony: 116 months
- Count 3 Wastage – Gross Misdemeanor: 364 days
Pratt had been previously sentenced to a mental health sentencing alternative back in November 2025, which was revoked due to failure to comply with his mental health sentencing alternative provisions.
“We would like to thank Superior Court Judge Svoboda for taking swift action after Pratt violated his conditions of release,” said WDFW Captain Dan Chadwick. “This sentencing highlights the importance of our big game natural resources not only in Grays Harbor but for all of Washington state.”
In January 2023, WDFW Police received a report from a private timber company employee who observed five dead cow elk on a hillside off the Ray Anderson A-Line south of Cosmopolis. WDFW Officers responded to the scene and immediately began investigating the suspicious circumstances. Necropsies revealed the suspect used a high-powered rifle. The elk were taken within GMU 658, which was closed for harvest at the time. WDFW Officers observed no clear attempt to harvest the wildlife, which were left to waste at the scene.
WDFW Police collected evidence, working with witnesses and the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office on the case. WDFW Police also asked the public for assistance in identifying an individual responsible for the crime.
Ten months after the initial crime, WDFW Officer McOmber encountered Pratt near the crime scene. Pratt had cut open a gate to enter the area and was found to be in possession of two firearms. Pratt, a convicted felon, may not legally possess firearms. WDFW Police later identified one of the firearms to be the rifle Pratt used in the poaching case. While interviewing Pratt at the scene, Officer McOmber established Pratt as the suspect from the earlier poaching case. Further investigation and subsequent interviews confirmed Pratt was the person responsible for the spree killings.
