MADISON, WIS. - Jeffrey M. Anderson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced today that Jeremy Schreiner, 33, Durand, Wis., and Matt Raley, 34, Woodruff, Wis., each pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Madison this week to violating the Lacey Act during guided duck hunts on the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge.
According to separate indictments filed on April 19, 2017, both Schreiner and Raley operated guided hunting businesses, which included fall guided duck hunts on the Mississippi River in the National Wildlife Refuge. Both guides were charged with allowing undercover U.S. Fish & Wildlife Special Agents (posing as clients) to exceed their daily bag limit of six ducks in one day, during the guided hunts. Each defendant then transported the illegally taken waterfowl by boat to boat landings in western Wisconsin, in violation of the Lacey Act.
As part of their written plea agreements, both Raley and Schreiner agreed to pay a fine of $25,000 to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. They also agreed to a 2-year ban on all guiding and hunting on the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge.
Schreiner’s sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 18, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. before U.S. District Judge James Peterson. Raley was sentenced on Aug. 17, 2017, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Crocker. Pursuant to the terms of his plea agreement, Raley paid the $25,000 fine in full. Judge Crocker imposed on Raley a 2-year ban of all hunting and guiding on the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge, effective immediately.
“It's disappointing to see that waterfowl guides who were permitted by the refuge were partaking in and encouraging illegal activities with their clients. We hope these convictions and resulting punishments will discourage this type of activity in the future," said Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Manager Sabrina Chandler.
The charges against Schreiner and Raley are the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Graber.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
