OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Men from Missouri and Wisconsin are the latest to be sentenced in a federal probe of illegal hunting connected to a Broken Bow outfitting business.
Jacob Wideman, 32, of Pevely, Missouri, and Duane Mulvaine, 40, of Fox Lake, Wisconsin, were sentenced last week in Omaha's federal court, federal prosecutors for Nebraska said.
Wideman received a year of probation and was ordered to pay $10,000 in fines and restitution for shooting a trophy-sized mule deer with a firearm during archery season in October 2017, with the help of Hidden Hills Outfitters's owner. Prosecutors said Wideman then took the animal's skull, antlers and hide, but abandoned the carcass.
Mulvaine was sentenced to five years' probation and ordered to pay $95,000 in fines and restitution for six violations carried out between 2012 and 2017, including hunting over bait, from a public roadway, at night or without a permit, and hunting with prohibited weapons.
To date, at least 30 defendants have pleaded guilty and been ordered to pay more than $353,000 in fines and restitution as part of the investigation into violations committed by owners, guides and clients of Hidden Hills.
In July, Hidden Hills and its owner, 30-year-old Jacob Hueftle, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act involving the illegal transport, purchase and sale of wildlife. Both are set to be sentenced in October.