A Georgia man was sentenced to probation for violating the Lacey Act in regard to a hunt in Nebraska.
On November 4, 2022, a federal judge sentenced Chad M. McCullough, 34, of Franklin, Georgia, to 2 years’ probation for unlawful transportation of wildlife in interstate commerce for violating of the Lacey Act. McCullough was ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $5,000 and restitution in the amount of $4,000.
A joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and multiple agencies determined that in October of 2020, McCullough traveled to Noble Outdoors, a business located in North Platte, Nebraska, to conduct an archery mule deer hunt.
During the hunt, McCullough unlawfully shot a mule deer from a parked vehicle on public road in Lincoln County, Nebraska, and subsequently transported trophy parts of the deer out of the state for taxidermy services in Georgia.
McCullough shot the mule deer knowing that firearm deer season was closed at the time.
Under Nebraska state law, shooting from the road, taking deer with a firearm during archery season, and hunting upon property without landowner permission are prohibited.
Under the terms of the plea agreement and as part of his conditions of probation, McCullough will surrender and abandon the taxidermy mounts and other parts originating from a total of two mule deer taken unlawfully during the 2020 hunt at Noble Outdoors.
The operation was a joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division.
