Man pleads guilty to firearm, hunting violations

John W. Rogers, 42, of Caruthersville, Mo., pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to hunting violations, in addition to being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

Authorities charged Rogers with exceeding a daily bag limit, possession of migratory game birds in excess of a daily bag limit and to receiving an untagged dove that was possessed and transported.

On Sept. 1, 2002, federal and state wildlife agents observed Rogers in Pemiscot County shooting doves. They found him with 90 doves. He told them four other men had shot their limits of 12 doves each and had given them to him. He had shot 15, which was in excess of the daily bag limit. The doves did not have required tags listing the person who shot them. At the time of his arrest, the agents observed Rogers shoot and possess a Remington 12-gauge shotgun. He had been previously convicted of felony robbery in 1992 in Shelby County, Tenn.

Rogers now faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the firearm charge and six months in prison and a $5,000 fine on the wildlife violations. Sentencing was set for April 6.