United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Jeffrey Volk, age 42, of McLaughlin, South Dakota appeared before U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann on May 9, 2013 and pled guilty to Count III of the Information that charged him with Lacey Act Violations.
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 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund may also be ordered.
The charge stems from an incident in November 2008 wherein Volk illegally shot and killed one 8x6 mule deer in North Dakota. At the time Volk killed the deer, he did not have a North Dakota state deer hunting license or a Standing Rock Sioux Tribe deer hunting license. After illegally killing the deer, Volk transported it to South Dakota in violation of state and federal laws. Volk also admitted to killing one other deer in North Dakota and transporting it to South Dakota.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.
Volk was released on bond pending sentencing which has been set for Aug. 12, 2013.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
