Waubay Man Sentenced For Wildlife Violations

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Waubay, South Dakota, man convicted of Unlawful Possession of Migratory Birds, Unlawful Possession of Endangered Species, and Unlawful Taxidermy Services, was sentenced on January 3, 2013, by United States District Judge Charles B. Kornmann. Kevin Jorgenson, age 54, was sentenced to 2 years of probation with 8 months of home confinement, $15,000 in restitution, and a $45 assessment to the Victim Assistance Fund.

Jorgenson was charged with the above offenses on April 23, 2012, and pled guilty on August 24, 2012.

Between 2007 and 2011, in Day County, Jorgenson received and possessed 535 migratory birds, as well as a Western Great Lakes Gray Wolf, for taxidermy purposes. None of the items were properly tagged as required by both federal and state law. At the time, Jorgenson did not have the proper taxidermy licenses.

The investigation was conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and South Dakota Game Fish and Parks. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meghan N. Dilges.

Jorgenson was released.