(Washta)-An investigation by the DNR has led to 48 wildlife charges against five men, with nearly 83-thousand dollars in fines and liquidated damages.
State Conservation officer Kirby Bragg says, it started with a warrant to search the home of 26-year-old Devon Lewis of rural Washta:
“Initially we were going in on an illegal wild turkey, was the basis for the search warrant and then, doing that search warrant we came across evidence in plain view of other illegal activity, which led to another search warrant.”
Officials eventually recovered many animals that had been taken illegally, including some 70 deer:
“They were going for the antlers, but it involved numerous wild turkeys. We found illegal wild turkeys, illegal red fox, illegal ducks. They were shooting ducks in the spring time, you know when they’re pretty, like this time of year when they’re in their mating plumage.”
Lewis pleaded guilty to 23 citations with fines and damages totaling over 37-thousand-dollars, and a minimum seven-year hunting license suspension.
The other four charged in the case include 27-year-old Taylor Luvaas of Schaller, who pleaded guilty to 14 citations, with fines and damages totaling over 31-thousand dollars, and a minimum seven-year hunting license suspension; 23-year-old Jacob Fouts of Cherokee pleaded guilty to six citations, with fines and damages totaling nearly 51-hundred dollars and hunting license suspension; 22-year-old Dylan Lewis of Cushing pleaded guilty to three citations, with fines and damages totaling over five-thousand dollars and hunting license suspension; 19-year-old Austin Lewis of Cushing, pleaded guilty to two citations, with fines and damages totaling 43-hundred dollars.
Officers found evidence that the poaching was a year-round network dating back to at least 2018. The court took five rifles, three shotguns, and three bows used to commit the crimes.
Thanks to affiliate Storm Lake Radio
