Ten Indicted in Connection with Illegal Poaching of Walleye on Leech Lake and Red Lake
Four federal indictments have been filed against a total of 10 individuals in connection with illegal poaching and marketing of walleye and other protected fish on the Red Lake and Leech Lake Indian reservations. All 10 people were charged with one count of transportation, sale, and purchase offish taken in violation of the Lacey Act. The first indictment charges Larry W. Bellefy, age 53, of Bagley; Thomas P. Sumner, age 54, of Red Lake; and Brian W. Holthusen, age 47, also of Red Lake. The second indictment charges Michael D. Brown, age 45, of Cass Lake; and Michael J. Nei, age 48, of Bemidji. The third indictment charges Jerry A. Reyes, age 51, of Cass Lake; and Marc L. Lyons, age 61; Frederick W. Tibbetts, age 65; and Alan D. Hemme, age 55, all of Bena. The fourth indictment charges Larry Good, age 58, of Red Lake. All four indictments allege that the defendants knowingly engaged in conduct that involved the sale and purchase of fish with a market value in excess of $350. The firs...