TWIN FALLS, Idaho - A Buhl man who authorities say illegally took three sturgeon from the Snake River in south-central Idaho and then dumped them in a ditch when he couldn't figure out how to filet them has been charged with a felony.

Thomas Withers, 31, was charged last month in 5th District Court with possessing three sturgeon.

An Idaho Department of Fish and Game officer said in a court affidavit that Withers caught the fish last month and took them to his house, where he kept them in a bathtub full of water.

According to the affidavit, when Withers couldn't figure out the best way to fillet the fish, he dumped them in a ditch near his home.

Someone who authorities say saw Withers dump the fish alerted Fish and Game by calling Citizens Against Poaching. Fish and Game officers responded and found the fish still alive, but had to kill them.

Sturgeon are opportunistic bottom feeders that can live up to 100 years and grow to hundreds of pounds. The three fish Withers is accused of taking ranged to 3 feet long.

Harvesting sturgeon is illegal in Idaho, with fines for "killed, possessed or wasted" sturgeon starting at $250 for one fish and increasing for each additional fish. Authorities said Withers faces a felony charge because of the amount of fines involved.

Felony convictions can also result in up to five years in prison and a fine of $50,000.

Twin Falls County Prosecutor Grant Loebs told The Times-News that he's heard of only a few fishing violations in his region that have reached felony status.

Withers has yet to enter a plea in the case. He could not be reached for comment Friday by The Associated Press.

Gary Hompland, Fish and Game's regional conservation officer, said the felony poaching cases he's seen typically end with a conviction on a reduced charge.

"It wouldn't surprise me if this one ends up being pled down," he said. "At the same time, this (sturgeon) is a significant resource to the people of Idaho, and the prosecutor and investigating officer have certainly made a good case here."