Mike Evangelista, Aiding and Abetting the Unlawful Taking of Waterfowl Without a Proper License, Pennsylvania 2009

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Pennsylvania Man Jailed for Poaching Waterfowl

A South Dakota court has sentenced a Pennsylvania man for taking migratory waterfowl without a proper license. Mike Evangelista, 43, was caught aiding and abetting three female hunters who did not have valid hunting licenses in Marshall County, South Dakota in the fall of 2009.

Evangelista, who was employed as a waterfowl guide for Windy Hill Outfitters at the time, pleaded guilty to Aiding and Abetting the Unlawful Taking of Waterfowl Without a Proper License on April 15, 2013. The conviction stems from an incident that occurred in Marshall County, South Dakota when Evangelista aided and abetted the unlawful taking of ducks by three female hunters who did not have valid hunting licenses.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikal Hanson prosecuted the case, which involved Conspiracy to Violate the Lacey Act, Failure to Lawfully Tag Migratory Birds, and aiding and abetting the Illegal Sale and Possession of Wildlife in Violation of Migratory Bird Act.

Evangelista’s sentence includes three years of probation, restitution of $4,500 to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, $200 to the South Dakota State Game, Fish and Parks Department, a $500 fine, and a $25 special assessment.

The sentence was handed down by U.S. Magistrate Judge John E. Simko on April 15, 2013. Evangelista was indicted in April 2012 by a federal grand jury for the aforementioned charges.

The case highlights the seriousness with which poaching is taken in the United States. Poaching not only harms wildlife populations, but it also undermines the efforts of law enforcement agencies to protect the environment and conserve wildlife.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service continues to work tirelessly to prevent wildlife crimes such as poaching and to bring perpetrators to justice. The public is encouraged to report any instances of wildlife crime to the authorities.

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