Authorities have said that a Colorado couple has pleaded guilty to illegally trapping and killing bobcats and selling their furs to buyers in Kansas and Montana.

The Denver Post reported on Wednesday that Jeffrey M. Bodnar, 37 of Hartsel, pleaded guilty in U. S. District Court in Denver Tuesday to one felony count of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. His wife, Veronica Anderson-Bodnar, 46, pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of Lacey Act trafficking and one misdemeanor count of making false statements in violation of the Lacey Act.

It has been reported that the Lacey Act is a federal law that makes it illegal to transport or sell in interstate commerce any wildlife taken, transported or sold in violation of state law or regulation.

The Post further said that the case, which was investigated by the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Colorado Division of Wildlife, found the couple used illegal leg hold traps then killed the animals before selling their pelts.

Both defendants are scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 15. Prosecutors say they will present evidence Bodnar possessed as many as seven firearms in violation of his 2000 state felony charge.

The Post said Bodnar faces the possibility of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the Lacey Act charge and 10 years in prison and a $250,000 for the firearm charge.

They will recommend five years probation for Anderson-Bodnar, prosecutors have said. (With Inputs from Agencies)