Mill owner admits to trafficking in illegally cut maples

TACOMA — The owner of a lumber mill in southwest Washington has pleaded guilty to trafficking in big leaf maple trees that were illegally harvested from national forest lands.

The U.S. Attorney’s office says Harold Clause Kupers and his Winlock company, J&L Tonewoods, admitted to buying the highly prized wood without requiring sellers to show they had a special permit.

The office says the 48-year-old admits he suspected the wood he bought had been illegally logged from Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

Kupers faces up to five years in prison when he is sentenced in federal court in Tacoma in February.

According to the plea agreement, Kupers sold the patterned maple to buys for nearly $500,000 in total revenues.

Three men have been accused of illegally cutting the wood. One pleaded guilty to theft. The two others are scheduled for trial in January.