U.S. District Court

Broken Bow man sentenced to probation

OMAHA – United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced June 16 that Logan Spanel, age 30, of Broken Bow has been sentenced in federal court in Omaha for violating the Lacey Act. The Lacey Act prohibits the trafficking in interstate commerce “tainted” (i.e., taken in violation of a law or regulation) wildlife, fish, or indigenous plants.

Spanel admitted to two misdemeanor counts of the illegal taking of wildlife in interstate commerce and was sentenced by United States Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson to five years of probation during which Spanel may not hunt, trap, or assist, or be present with anyone engaged in those activities. Spanel was ordered to pay a $7,500 fine and forfeited a custom 300 caliber bolt-action rifle with a Sig Sauer tactical scope and SilencerCo suppressor utilized in one of the unlawful hunts.

An investigation determined that between November 2016 and November, 2017, Spanel was employed by Hidden

Hills Outfitters (HHO), a commercial big game guiding and outfitting business located near Broken Bow, Nebraska, and provided hunting and guiding services to HHO clients. The investigation determined that during a number of these hunts, Spanel guided and assisted HHO clients in unlawful hunting activities which included hunting and taking mule deer without a valid permit, upon property without landowner permission, and with prohibited weapons, all of which are in violation of Nebraska State law or regulation.

The sentencing is a continuation of ongoing prosecution of numerous defendants related to violations committed by owners, guides, and clients of Hidden Hills Outfitters. To date, 27 defendants have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced and ordered to pay a total of $248,048 in fines and restitution. The operation was a joint investigation by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division.