Man Charged with Wildlife Crimes
James L. Santelle, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced today that John J. Kellogg has been charged by criminal complaint with two violations of the Lacey Act, 16 United States Code, Sections 3372(a)(2) and (4) and 3373(d)(1)(B). Count One alleges that between September 8, 2009, and September 11, 2009, Kellogg illegally arranged for the transfer of a bear license to another in violation of Wisconsin law. According to the complaint, Kellogg then provided guide services to others during which a bear was killed and illegally tagged. Kellogg also is alleged to have facilitated the transfer of meat from the bear to an undercover officer in another state. Count Two alleges that between September 4, 2011, and September 9, 2011, Kellogg again arranged for the illegal transfer of a bear hunt tag to another in violation of Wisconsin law. The complaint alleges that despite having his hunting privileges revoked by the State of Wisconsin, Kellogg guided others on a bear hunt on September 9, 2011, during which he shot and killed a bear. According to the complaint, the bear was then illegally tagged, and Kellogg directed an undercover officer to transport the bear for processing of the bear meat and the creation of a bear rug.
Court records indicate that Kellogg appeared before United States Magistrate Judge James Sickel on October 5, 2011. He was released upon signing a personal recognizance bond with conditions including that he not hunt or engage in guide services. A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled to take place on October 19, 2011.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Roach of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Green Bay Division.
