Waubay Taxidermist Pleads To Wildlife Charges
by Associated Press
September 20, 2012 4:34 PM
A Waubay taxidermist has pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful possession of migratory birds and one count of unlawful possession of endangered species.
United States Attorney Brendan Johnson says the conviction stems from an incident in which 54-year-old Kevin Jorgenson received and possessed 535 migratory birds - one merlin hawk and one sharp skinned hawk - as well as one Western Great Lakes gray wolf, an endangered species.
Johnson says none of the wildlife was properly tagged, as required by both federal and state law.
Sentencing is set for Dec. 17. The charges carry a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department.
