3 men charged w illegal

[Lee Borgersen]

DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                                                      Nov. 2, 2015

3 men charged with illegal taking and possession of snapping turtles

The Becker County Attorney has charged three men with wildlife violations following an investigation by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources related to the illegal taking and possession of snapping turtles during the closed season.

  more ........
Kevin R. Ketter, 54, of Frazee, has been charged with possessing snapping turtles in a closed season. Also charged with the taking of snapping turtles in a closed season were Jordan M. Ketter, 21 and Darwin D. Bartel, 54, both of Frazee.

On June 29, DNR conservation officers executed a search warrant at Ketter’s Meat Market in Frazee, seizing 23 live snapping turtles (later released by the DNR), 243 snapping turtle shells, and 291 (10-pound) packages of turtle meat.

State law prohibits taking snapping turtles in May and June. The investigation revealed the turtles were being taken during this closed season, and were being purchased/possessed at Ketter’s Meat Market.

Each man was charged with a misdemeanor, which carries a sentence of up to 90 days or a maximum fine of $1,000, or both.

The DNR’s mission is to work with citizens to conserve and manage the state’s natural resources, to provide outdoor recreation opportunities, and to provide for commercial use of natural resources in a way that creates a sustainable quality of life. A major part of that mission involves the work of conservation officers in gaining voluntary compliance with regulations through education and law enforcement.

Citizens can help protect Minnesota resources by reporting game and fish violations to the Turn In Poachers (TIP) hotline at 800-652-9093. Cell phone users can dial #TIP. Informants can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.


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[Lee Borgersen]

                                                                                                                                                                                                          ......   UPDATE:           

Dayton: Time for Minnesota to get tough on turtle poachers

  Nov 3, 2015

  .......
ST. PAUL — It is time to get tough on turtle and other wildlife poachers, Gov. Mark Dayton said Tuesday, reacting to reports that the Becker County attorney has charged three men for taking snapping turtles out of season.


An impassioned Dayton called "abusive" and "disrespectful" poachers in Frazee who the Department of Natural Resources said illegally possessed nearly 3,000 pounds of turtle meat, hundreds of snapping turtle shells and 23 live snapping turtles.

“It is such an abuse of not only nature but a total disregard for the laws and ethics of Minnesota,” Dayton said. “It is a crime and I hope it is seen as a crime.”

The governor repeatedly said the three men the DNR charged would receive minimal fines.

“We should be ashamed of ourselves,” Dayton said.

The DNR said each man could be sentenced up to 90 days in jail or up to a $1,000 fine, or both. However, none are expected to get jail time and fines are expected to be far lower than $1,000, officials said.

Dayton said the incident may convince him to renew his pitch for tougher penalties on poachers and other wildlife law violators. He did not convince legislators earlier this year to make the change.

“Current law only includes up to a gross misdemeanor penalty for poaching and license revocations of up to only five years…" Dayton's office said. "Under the governor’s proposal, the felony penalty for poaching would apply to individuals who unlawfully take animals above a restitution value of $2,000.”

The Frazee men the DNR says were involved are Kevin R. Ketter, 54, of Frazee, who has been charged with possessing snapping turtles out of season, and Jordan M. Ketter, 21, and Darwin D. Bartel, 54, both facing charges of taking of snapping turtles out of season.

On June 29, DNR conservation officers executed a search warrant at Ketter’s Meat Market in Frazee, seizing 23 live snapping turtles (later released), 243 snapping turtle shells and 291 (10-pound) packages of turtle meat.

State law prohibits taking snapping turtles in May and June. The DNR reported the the turtles were being taken when the season was closed.

In the citation, the DNR officer wrote, “Ketter acknowledged he purchased turtles and was in possession of snapping turtles during June, during the closed season.”

“Based in part upon past information related to the illegal possession of snapping turtles, surveillance equipment was installed near Ketter’s meat market in June,” DNR Conservation Office Chris Vinton wrote in the search warrant application. “Surveillance photos show numerous snapping turtles brought into Ketter’s meat market by various vehicles for sale and/or processing from June 13 to June 18. Some of the vehicles are registered to employees at Ketter’s."

Ketter’s is not a licensed turtle seller.



This is a snapping turtle similar to those three Frazee men were accused of possessing out of season. (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources photo)

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[glenn57]

turtle meat is excellent eating. I use the shells and make clocks with them. they should throw several books at these chumps. this is gross gluttony!!!!!!!! it take YEARS for these critters to grow!