Jessica Kroening pleads guilty to poaching over 100 deer in Wisconsin

Jessica Kroening, 37, has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges related to the illegal poaching of more than 100 deer across Washington, Fond du Lac, and Dodge counties in Wisconsin. Alongside three minors, Kroening participated in nighttime deer hunting using spotlights and firearms, harvesting deer heads and often leaving the bodies behind. Investigators also discovered rifles with scratched-off serial numbers and bloody tools in her vehicle, and the group is accused of harassing other wildlife. As part of a plea deal, a charge of resisting a conservation warden was dismissed but will be considered during sentencing. Kroening faces up to 15 months in prison and $12,000 in fines, with sentencing scheduled for May 2. The three minors involved faced charges in juvenile court for their roles in the poaching scheme.