Wisconsin Man Pleads Guilty to Lacey Act Violations

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Duane S. Mulvaine, age 40, of Fox Lake, Wisconsin, entered a plea of guilty today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, before United States Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson for violating the Lacey Act.  Mulvaine admitted to six misdemeanor counts involving the illegal taking of wildlife in interstate commerce.  Magistrate Judge Nelson set Mulvaine’s sentencing for August 19, 2020, at 9:30 a.m.  Mulvaine faces up to one year imprisonment and a fine of $100,000 on each count.

A joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division determined that between August 2015 through October 30, 2017, Mulvaine traveled to Hidden Hills Outfitters, a commercial big game guiding and outfitting business located near Broken Bow, Nebraska, to conduct wildlife hunts.  The investigation determined that during a number of these hunts, Mulvaine engaged in hunting activities which included hunting over bait, hunting from a public roadway at night, and hunting with prohibited weapons, all of which are in violation of Nebraska State law or regulation.

The change of plea hearing today is part of the ongoing prosecution of numerous defendants related to violations committed by owners, guides, and clients of Hidden Hills Outfitters.  To date, twenty-four defendants have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced and ordered to pay a total of $151,398 in fines and restitution for underlying violations related to deer taken within baited areas; deer, pronghorn, and wild turkeys taken with weapons or firearms prohibited during their respective hunting seasons; deer taken during closed season hours, from the road, or without a valid permit; and mule deer taken within the Mule Deer Conservation Area.

The operation was a joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division.