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Press Release

Chester Man Sentenced For Possession Of Migratory Birds And Lacey Act Violation

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Dakota

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Chester, South Dakota, man has been charged with federal offenses of Possession of Migratory Birds and Lacey Act Violation by an Information filed June 2, 2014. 

Robert Masterson, Sr., age 53, pled guilty to and was sentenced on July 15, 2014, by U.S. Magistrate John E. Simko.  Masterson received 2 years of probation, a $3,000 fine, $5,025 in restitution, and a $35 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The conviction stems from incidents that took place between January 1, 2013, and April 3, 2013, when Masterson was unlawfully selling wild game, specifically geese, which had been received under the auspice of the Sportsman Against Hunger Program.  Masterson, d/b/a/ Bob’s Custom Meat, held a Federal Fish and Wildlife Special Purpose Permit, authorizing him to receive and possess migratory birds, specifically geese, lawfully taken during the 2012 goose hunting seasons.  This permit specifically required that all geese received be donated to a not-for-profit distribution center and that any purchase, sale, barter, or trade of the migratory birds, or any parts of migratory birds, was illegal.

During the course of the investigation, Masterson illegally sold goose jerky on several occasions in early 2013.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges. 


Updated June 22, 2015