2 Northern Minn. Men Accused of Killing Gray Wolves, Lying to Officers

Two northern Minnesota men were recently indicted for allegedly killing two gray wolves and lying about it.

Fifty-four-year-old Vernon Lee Hoff and 31-year-old Kyler James Jensen were each charged with a misdemeanor count of conspiracy to violate the Endangered Species Act, a misdemeanor count of violation of the Endangered Species Act, and a felony county of making false statements to a federal officer. Jenson was charged with an additional violation of the Endangered Species Act.

The two men, who are from the community of Finland, are accused of burying the wolves in the Superior National Forest.

According to the indictment, Jensen purposely killed the wolves with his vehicle on Feb. 17, 2010, then conspired with Hoff to bury the wolves in the Superior National Forest.

At the time, the gray wolf was considered a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

Hoff allegedly lied to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials about talking to Jensen about the burial, and Jensen allegedly lied to the officials by denying he buried the wolves in the forest.

Both men face up to five years in prison for lying to federal officers and one year on the remaining charges.