Mobridge Man and Woman Charged with Violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that two Mobridge, South Dakota, residents, a man and a woman, have been indicted by a federal grand jury for a violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Jeffrey Jensen, age 53, and Amanda Silbernagel, age 30, both d/b/a Jerry’s Pawn Shop, were indicted on September 12, 2017.  They appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on October 6, 2017, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction for this felony offense is up to two years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, one year of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between August 19, 2014, and August 21, 2014, Jensen and Silbernagel, d/b/a Jerry’s Pawn Shop, knowingly offered for sale, sold, offer to barter, bartered, delivered for transportation, transported, and caused to be transported, a migratory bird and parts thereof of any such bird.

The charge is merely an accusation and Jensen and Silbernagel are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan N. Dilges and Eric D. Kelderman are prosecuting the case.   

Jensen and Silbernagel were released on bond pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.