Four men who had been the subject of a six-year undercover investigation by state and federal authorities have been convicted of charges related to illegal bear hunting in northern Wisconsin.
complete article:
4 convicted of illegal bear hunting, trafficking
By Bruce Vielmetti of the Journal Sentinel Jan. 29, 2013 10:57 a.m.
Four men who had been the subject of a six-year undercover investigation by state and federal authorities have been convicted of charges related to illegal bear hunting in northern Wisconsin.
John J. Kellogg, 48, of Gillett in Oconto County, was charged in 2011. The complaint indicated he had turned illegal hunting into a commercial enterprise involving the illegal transfer of Wisconsin bear hunting tags, and his guiding services.
The investigation led to Kentucky wildlife agents posing as "houndsmen" willing to buy dogs from Kellogg and hunt illegally in Wisconsin with his help. They paid $1,000 for bear tags belonging to other people, $400 and $500 to Kellogg for guiding services, and more for processing the kill into bear meat and rugs.
Illegal hunts occurred in 2009 and 2011 in Oconto and Lincoln counties.
He pleaded guilty to a felony count of violating the Lacey Act, and was sentennced to six months in prison, plus three years of supervised release. In additon, he must pay $10,000 to the state and federal conservation funds, and surrender all fishing, hunting and trapping privileges for 15 years.
Lastly, the he will forfeit his hunting dogs, a truck and a rifle that were all used in commission of the crimes.
Christopher Halfmann, 41, of Green Bay, Michael Renken, 53, of Merrill and Mark Barlament, 53, of Mint Hill, N.C., all pleaded guilty to misdemeanor Lacey Act violations.
Halfmann was sentenced to three years probation, a $5,000 conservation donation and had hunting, fishing and trapping privileges revoked for six years.
Renken got two years of probation, a $3,000 fine and five years loss of hunting, fishing and trapping privleges.
Barlament will serve one year probation, make a $1,000 contribution and also lose hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for five years.
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