Sisseton Man Pleads Guilty to Taking Wildlife Without Proper Licenses

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Vernon Renville, age 51, of Sisseton, South Dakota, appeared before United States District Judge Charles B. Kornmann on August 13, 2012 , and pled guilty to a Superseding Information that charged him with Taking Wildlife Without Proper Licenses. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 1 year in custody, a $100,000 fine, or both. Restitution may also be ordered.

The conviction arose from an incident that occurred in Marshall County in the fall of 2008 when Renville knowingly guided waterfowl hunters who did not have valid hunting licenses.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Mikal Hanson is prosecuting the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for November 5, 2012 . The defendant was released on bond pending sentencing.