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Faulkton Man Charged and Sentenced for Wildlife Violations Involving Bald Eagle Deaths
Kevin Deiter, a 43-year-old man from Faulkton, South Dakota, has pleaded guilty to three federal wildlife violations that led to the deaths of three bald eagles. Deiter was charged by information on May 7, 2020, and was sentenced on May 13, 2020, by U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno.
According to court documents, Deiter admitted to injecting chicken eggs with a restricted-use pesticide, carbamate carbofuran, and placing them near silage bags to deter skunks and mink from destroying the bags. The toxic eggs were discovered in Faulk County, where three dead bald eagles were recovered on March 21, 2017. An investigation revealed that the eagles, as well as a skunk and a mink, had died from carbamate carbofuran poisoning.
Deiter was ordered to pay a total of $29,400 in restitution, $9,800 per eagle, a $5,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $40. The case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.
Deiter’s actions were a blatant disregard for the law and a devastating blow to the bald eagle population. The sentence handed down to Deiter serves as a reminder that wildlife crimes will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department worked tirelessly to investigate and prosecute this case. The efforts of these agencies have helped to protect our nation’s wildlife and ensure that those who harm them are held accountable.
Deiter’s sentence is a fitting punishment for his actions. His reckless behavior put not only the bald eagles, but also the skunk and the mink, at risk of death. The community can rest assured that justice has been served in this case.
The case is a stark reminder of the importance of protecting our nation’s wildlife and the consequences of harming them. We must continue to work together to prevent such wildlife crimes from occurring in the future.
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Wildlife Violations
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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