Georgia Hunter Sentenced for Lacey Act Violation Stemming from Nebraska Hunt

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Kyle G. Daniel, 36, of Ball Ground, Georgia, was sentenced today in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for violating of the Lacey Act.  United States District Judge John Gerrard sentenced Daniel to 2 years’ probation for unlawful transportation of wildlife in interstate commerce.  Daniel was ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $5,000 and restitution in the amount of $4,000. 

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 in October of 2020, Daniel traveled to Noble Outdoors, a commercial big game guiding and outfitting business located in North Platte, Nebraska, to conduct an archery mule deer hunt.  During the hunt, Daniel unlawfully shot a mule deer and subsequently transported trophy parts of the deer out of the state for taxidermy services in Georgia.

As contained in the plea agreement accepted by the Court and admitted by Daniel, the investigation determined that in the fall of 2020, Daniel traveled to Noble Outdoors with two other hunting partners to hunt mule deer during the archery season.  During the hunt, Daniel unlawfully shot a mule deer buck from the rear passenger seat area of a Noble Outdoors vehicle parked upon the traveled portion of a public roadway.  Under Nebraska state law, shooting from the road and hunting upon property without landowner permission are prohibited.  .

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Daniel surrendered and abandoned a total of six sets of antlers or taxidermy mounts originating from mule deer taken during hunts at Noble Outdoors in 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Today’s convictions mark the second federal sentencing involving the ongoing prosecution of numerous defendants related to violations committed by Noble Outdoors and its owner, associates, and clients.  Four additional defendants have pleaded guilty in Nebraska state court.  In total, six defendants have been sentenced and ordered to pay a total of $28,500 in fines and restitution for violations related to the interstate transport of unlawfully taken wildlife, shooting deer from the road; taking deer without a valid permit, taking deer with a firearm during archery season, dumping carcasses in waters of the state; hunting without permission; and improperly checking or registering big game.

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.