Preliminary charges of unlawful possession of wildlife and unlawful sale of wildlife have been filed against a Warsaw man who allegedly sold a taxidermy mount of a badger on Craigslist.

Indiana Conservation Officers acted on a tip and charged Matthew M. Kerkhoff, 21, with the two misdemeanors. CO Nick Vander Molen received a tip about Kerkhoff’s illegal activity via the 1-800-TIP-IDNR hotline. It is unlawful to sell or possess protected species such as badgers, bobcats or river otters without the proper permit from Indiana or another state.

Kerkhoff allegedly sold a taxidermy mounted badger, which led to the call to the Turn In a Poacher line. The T.I.P. program does offer rewards for information leading to the arrest of any person violating fish and wildlife laws.

According to the Kosciusko County Jail, Kerkhoff has not yet been arrested.

Indiana Conservation Officers encourage persons to call the 1-800-TIP-IDNR hotline whenever they witness violations of fish and wildlife laws.