United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that seven individuals from South Dakota and one person from Minnesota have all been charged with the Unlawful Taking of Migratory Birds and Lacey Act Violations by an Information filed on March 25, 2013.
The individuals include:
• Jaron Anderson, age 22, Brookings
• Ben Burgess, age 29, Sioux Falls
• Nicholas Connor, age 20, Winfred
• Aaron Eich, age 28, Sioux Falls
• Scott Nenaber, age 34, Alpena
• Chris Paclik, age 21, Brookings
• Travis Vacek, age 32, Sioux Falls
• Austin Lueck, age 21, Lane Benton, Minnesota
Seven of the defendants appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge John E. Simko on April 18, 2013 and pled not guilty to the charge. Nenaber made his initial appearance on April 19, 2013. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 1 year of imprisonment, a $100,000 fine, or both; 1 year of supervised release and an additional year of supervised release upon revocation. Restitution and a $25 special assessment may also be ordered.
The charge is merely an accusation, and they are all presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the cases.
All eight were released on bond pending trial, which has been set for June 25, 2013.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
