Nebraska Man Sentenced For Taking Waterfowl Without A Proper License

US Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Nebraska man convicted of the Unlawful Taking of Migratory Waterfowl was sentenced on January 4, 2013, by US District Judge Charles B. Kornmann. Jeremy Hoefs, age 30, was sentenced to 5 years of probation, $4,700 restitution to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, a $500 fine, and a $25 special assessment. 

Hoefs was indicted for Conspiracy to Violate the Lacey Act, Failure to Lawfully Tag Migratory birds, and the Sale and Possession of Wildlife in Violation of Migratory Bird Act by a federal grand jury in April 2012. He pled guilty to a superseding information charging him with Aiding and Abetting the Unlawful Taking of Waterfowl Without Proper Licenses on January 4, 2013.

The conviction stems from an incident that occurred in the fall of 2009 in Marshall County when Hoefs, while employed as a guide for Windy Hill Outfitters, aided and abetted the unlawful taking of ducks by hunters who did not have valid hunting licenses.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Assistant US Attorney Mikal Hanson prosecuted the case.