2nd man gets probation for game law violation

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By The Lincoln Journal Star

A 56-year-old Crab Orchard man was sentenced to a year of home curfew in federal court Monday for assisting in providing guiding services resulting in the unlawful killing of two turkeys.

Paul R. Payton was sentenced to 12 months of home curfew, similar to home detention, as a condition of five years of probation. He pleaded guilty Feb. 15 to a felony violation of federal game laws.

As part of the probation, U.S. District Judge Richard G. Kopf prohibited Payton from hunting, guiding, outfitting, or accompanying or assisting anyone who is hunting, guiding or outfitting.

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Payton and his co-defendant, Kent Hippen, also are responsible for reimbursing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service $12,957.95 for the cost of the investigation.

In lieu of a fine, Payton is to make a contribution in the amount of $15,000 to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and $5,000 to Nebraska Raptor Recovery, U.S. Attorney Joe Stecher said.

Kopf gave Hippen of Virginia, Neb., the same sentence Thursday.

Stecher said Payton and Hippen, 46, owned and operated Nebraska Trophy Whitetails near Virginia, and provided guiding and outfitting services for deer, turkey, waterfowl and upland game hunts.

The charges were the result of a more than yearlong undercover investigation by U.S. Fish and Wildlife agents.