Wisconsin man facing 25 added poaching charges

OBERLIN, Kansas -- One of five Wisconsin men charged in Oberlin, Kansas, with poaching trophy deer is now facing 25 additional charges, one of which is a felony.

Joseph R. Jacobs, 23, of DePere, Wisconsin, has been ordered to appear in Decatur County District Court on Feb. 8, at 10 a.m., to answer to 25 misdemeanor wildlife violation charges, in addition to the latest felony charge of commercialization of wildlife.

Knowingly capturing, killing or possessing all or any part of any wildlife for profit or commercial purposes is punishable by confiscation of all equipment used in the commission of the crime; revocation for up to 10 years of all licenses and permits issued by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks; and restitution for the wildlife taken, in the amount not less than the aggregate value of the wildlife, $1,000 per deer.

The original count against Jacobs was filed Dec. 8 and charged him with taking a trophy mule deer buck illegally, a misdemeanor.

Jacobs now faces:

* 12 counts of unlawful possession of wildlife/possessing a carcass of a big game animal, an antlered mule deer having an inside spread measurement of at least 22 inches without a carcass tag; each count is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $250 for the first offense and $500 for the second offense, plus court costs.

* 12 counts of taking a big game animal, an antlered mule deer having an inside spread measurement of at least 22 inches, without a valid big game permit, a misdemeanor punishable by a $250 fine for the first offense and $500 for a second offense, plus court costs.

Also charged after the incidents in early December when 12 deer were killed in Decatur County were four other Wisconsin men:

* John H. Jacobs III, 53 years old, of 668 Fernando Drive, DePere, Wisconsin.

* Mark G. Jacobs, 45, of W 882 Bain Road, DePere.

* John H. Jacobs IV, 30, of 2824 Libal Street, Green Bay, Wisconsin.

* Paul J. Jacobs, 26, of 668 Fernando Drive, DePere.

Judge John E. Bremer set bond at $16,700 for each of the five men; they posted a total of $83,500, and were released.

A Long Island, Kansas, man also faces similar charges in connection with the same incidents. Jake Swisher, age unknown, of Long Island is charged with misdemeanor charges of:

* Unlawful possession of wildlife, on or about Dec. 8, possession of a carcass of a big game animal -- an antlered mule deer having an inside spread measurement of at least 22 inches, unless a carcass tag is attached in accordance with state wildlife rules and regulations.

* Taking a big game animal, on or about Dec. 8, an antlered mule deer having an inside spread measurement of at least 22 inches, without a valid big game permit as required by law.

Judge John E. Bremer has ordered that Swisher also appear in court on Feb. 8, at 10 a.m., to answer to the charges.