SOUTH BEND, IN – Dylan Nissley, 32, of Wakarusa, Indiana, is trading his fishing rod and rifle for community service after pleading guilty to a trio of federal Lacey Act violations. Judge Damon R. Leichty handed down a two-year probation sentence, effectively sidelining Nissley from both hunting and fishing for the duration.
The case, detailed in court documents, reveals a pattern of disregard for the law. During the spring of 2023, Nissley allegedly ran an illegal charter fishing operation on Lake Erie, Ohio. He wasn’t licensed to operate a boat for hire – lacking both a United States Coast Guard Captain License and a valid Ohio fishing guide license. Worse, he actively encouraged clients to break the law, allowing them to exceed the legal walleye bag limit by “double bagging” – keeping far more fish than permitted.
Nissley’s illegal activities didn’t stop at the water’s edge. In November 2023, during Missouri’s archery-only deer season, he allegedly shot a buck with a firearm – a clear violation of the season’s restrictions. He then compounded the offense by failing to report all the deer he harvested and exceeding the legal limit of antlered deer. It was a full-blown poaching operation, fueled by arrogance and a blatant disregard for conservation laws.
“True sportsmen and sportswomen understand that the North American model of wildlife conservation depends upon everyone—and especially guides—following the relevant laws and regulations when harvesting game,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney M. Scott Proctor. “Dylan Nissley disregarded those rules, and in doing so he violated the federal Lacey Act. Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement team, he has been held to account for his unlawful acts.” The sentence also includes 144 hours of community service, a small price to pay for exploiting natural resources and flouting the law.
Federal authorities are sending a clear message: cheating won’t be tolerated. Assistant Director Douglas Ault of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, emphasized, “Poaching has no place in America’s hunting and fishing heritage.” He applauded the collaborative effort between agencies in Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, and the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, adding, “This case is a reminder for all hunters and anglers to be diligent when selecting guiding services and ensure you’re working with someone who complies with the law and honors the ethical principles of the outdoors.”
The investigation was spearheaded by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, with crucial assistance from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, United States Coast Guard Investigative Service, and Missouri Department of Conservation. Assistant United States Attorney Lydia T. Lucius prosecuted the case, securing a conviction that, while not sending Nissley to prison, effectively ends his career as an outdoorsman – at least for the next two years. Whether this is enough to deter similar behavior remains to be seen.
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Key Facts
- State: Indiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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