NB: Owner of Nebraska hunting business federally indicted for alleged violations of wildlife protection laws
10/25/2023
The owner of a Nebraska company that offers guided hunting trips was federally indicted last week on allegations that he violated numerous wildlife protection laws in a wide-ranging conspiracy over a period of more than five years.
Dustin Noble, the owner of North Platte-based big-game guiding business Noble Outdoors, was charged in a 10-count felony indictment with nine counts of unlawfully transporting wildlife across state lines in violation of the Lacey Act and one count of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act. Each of the 10 charges carries up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The indictment of Noble comes after a series of federal prosecutions against his customers. Since last year, five people have been charged with violations of the Lacey Act in relation to hunts at Noble Outdoors, and four of those charged have pleaded guilty and been sentenced to probation.
The Lacey Act is meant to combat the illegal trafficking of wildlife, fish and plants, and it prohibits the transportation of illegally obtained wildlife across state lines.