All together, Nielsen faced charges for 16 counts of fraudulently purchasing resident licenses as far back as 1992, three counts of taking big game without the proper license, possessing drivers licenses from two states, making false statements on a South Dakota drivers license application and two counts of ineligible big game applications. Nielsen appeared with his attorney in Moody County court on Feb. 11 to accept a plea agreement reached with prosecuting attorney Glen Eng. Nielsen pled no contest to two counts of fraud to obtain resident licenses. Nielsen must also be a law-abiding citizen for one year. In addition to the criminal case and attorney's fees, Nielsen also faces civil damages for the game taken illegally in South Dakota.
Charges are also pending against another subject involved in the case.
One call is all it took. Should you be the next TIPs caller with information leading to an arrest, you can be entitled to a cash reward just like this caller. He will address the membership on Monday, March 6 and also as the banquet speaker on Wednesday, March 8. The Wildlife Society was founded in 1936 and has evolved into an international nonprofit organization of professional wildlife ecologists and managers. Schauer said members number more than 9,000 from 40 different countries, and include administrators, biologists, conservation officers, educators, managers and researchers.