Five Sentenced for Roles in Timber Theft Conspiracy from Menominee Indian Reservation

Matthew D. Krueger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that five individuals received sentences after convictions for conspiring to steal timber from the Menominee Indian Reservation:

The sentences, imposed on December 10, 2019, by United States District Judge William C. Griesbach, were the result of guilty pleas to a charge of Conspiracy in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, entered by the five individuals in July 2019. Judge Griesbach sentenced the defendants as follows:

The investigation revealed that the defendants logged timber for Menominee Tribal Enterprises (MTE) from designated areas on the Menominee Indian Reservation. On at least 100 occasions, the defendants and others used forestry equipment to cut down extra trees beyond what MTE authorized. Fish used a tractor-trailer to transport the extra timber to two sawmills outside the boundaries of the reservation.

Dugan and Derrin Webster received payments from the mills for the timber, which the defendants divided amongst themselves. The outside sawmills paid Dugan and Derrin Webster $408,248.90 between January 2012 and September 2018 for the timber the defendants and others removed from the reservation without permission. Investigators discovered evidence of the defendants using spray paint to make it appear they were working with trees designated by MTE for harvest.

In sentencing the defendants, Judge Griesbach noted the seriousness of the crimes the defendants committed. Judge Griesbach also remarked upon the terrible damage to the community caused by the defendants, necessitating a sentence that reflected the “impact on the community, along with the breach of trust the defendants each had with the tribe.” Judge Griesbach also emphasized the strong cultural ties between the Menominee people and the forest, which they have protected and relied upon for centuries. The sentences were a necessary deterrent to those would might consider similar actions, undertaken out of greed.

The case was investigated by the Menominee Tribal Police Department, Menominee Conservation Department, United States Forest Service, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Special assistance was provided by Menominee Tribal Enterprises Forestry. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier.

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For Additional Information Contact:

Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales 414-297-1700

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