A sheep hunter and his guide who killed three sheep, leaving meat from all to waste, have pleaded guilty to charges of wanton waste and evidence tampering, according to Alaska State Troopers. Here's the press release they sent out this afternoon--

At the conclusion of an investigation conducted by Alaska Wildlife Troopers and National Park Service Law Enforcement Rangers, two men were sentenced in Glennallen District Court in connection with an illegal hunt of three Dall sheep last summer. On Jan. 26, 2010, guide Justin Norberg, 36, formerly of Anchorage, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to aiding or committing wanton waste during a Dall sheep hunt in Game Management Unit 12, near the end of Nebesna Road. Kale A. Trangmore, 30, a hunter from Wasilla, pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Dec.7, 2009 to the charge of attempted tampering with physical evidence. The investigation began on Aug. 14, 2009 after three Dall sheep were taken illegally near Cabin Creek within the Wrangell-St. Elias National Preserve.

In mid-August of last year, Alaska Wildlife Troopers in Glennallen along with National Park Service Law Enforcement Rangers initiated an investigation regarding two suspects who had reportedly taken three sub-legal Dall sheep. Investigation at the kill site revealed that Norberg and Trangmoe had only partially salvaged two of the rams. The rest of the remains were buried and left to waste on the mountain. The third ram was concealed by rocks and moss.

On Aug. 16, 2009, Alaska Wildlife Troopers in Glennallen, Palmer, Wasilla and Anchorage, along with National Park Service Special Investigators, served search warrants on Trangmoe and Norberg. Evidence at the Trangmoe residence was recovered, to include the meat, cape and horns of a Dall sheep. Alaska Wildlife Troopers also recovered evidence at Norberg’s residence. Investigators located and seized the meat, cape and horn of a sub-legal sheep at a local taxidermist.

Trangmoe was sentenced to pay $5,000 with $3,000 suspended, forfeit Dall sheep meat, cape and horns, pay restitution of $1,100, spend 30 days in jail with 25 suspended, and to be placed on probation for three years.

Norberg plead guilty to Guide-Commit, Aide or Allow Violation and Wanton Waste. He was sentenced to pay $20,000 with $10,000 suspended, spend 30 days in jail with 23 days suspended, forfeit the meat, cape and horns of the Dall Sheep and all the hunting equipment involved in the hunt (to include guns). He was also ordered to pay restitution of $2,200 and placed on probation until Jan. 26, 2015. Additionally, Norberg’s right to obtain a hunting license in Alaska has been revoked for five years.

Norberg’s guilty plea concluded the case.