Four accept plea deals in animal case

Four accept plea deals in animal case

DICKINSON (AP) — Four men accused of illegal wildlife killings in western North Dakota have accepted plea deals.

State wildlife officials say the shooting of more than 40 deer and antelope and hundreds of porcupines, rabbits and coyotes in Billings and Golden Valley counties in July and August 2007 is the worst case of illegal animal killings they have ever seen.

Charged in the case were 22-year-old Billy Buckman and 21-year-old Jaden Adams of Belfield, 23-year-old Shawn Hiller of Medora and 20-year-old John Koester of Sentinel Butte.

Not all of the settlements have been filed with the court, but Stark County State's Attorney Tom Henning says the four men will receive sentences similar to Koester.

Koester pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors and was sentenced to 180 days in prison with all but five days suspended for two years, fined $15,000 with all but $1,625 suspended for two years and ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution and $325 in court fees. Koester also will lose hunting and fishing privileges for 10 years.

A fifth person also is accused in the case. Authorities have not been able to track down 21-year-old Chris Calentine in Montana. Warrants are out for his arrest.