Wisconsin man pleads guilty to illegally transporting bear

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A Wisconsin man accused of illegally transporting a black bear carcass from Canada to North Dakota has reached a plea agreement, federal prosecutors said Thursday.

Authorities said Joseph Stolarczyk, of Mosinee, Wisconsin, exceeded the Manitoba bag limit by killing two bears in the same year. He was arrested after bringing the bear across the Pembina Port of Entry in northeastern North Dakota.

Acting U.S. Attorney Nick Chase said Stolarczyk pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of unlawful transportation of wildlife in foreign commerce. Stolarczyk’s attorney, Richard Coad, did not immediately respond to an email request seeking comment.

Stolarczyk could face up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine, KVRR-TV reported.

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