Four North Dakota men have accepted plea bargains for illegally killing more than 40 deer and antelope and hundreds of porcupines, rabbits, and coyotes in Billings and Golden Valley counties in July and August 2007.

John Koester, 20, of Sentinel Butte, plead guilty to two misdemeanors and was sentenced to 180 days in prison. He lost hunting and fishing privileges for 10 years, was fined $15,000 and was ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution and $325 in court fees. The other men charged, Billy Buckman, 22, Jaden Adams, 21, of Belfield and Shawn Hiller, 23, of Medora, will receive comparable sentences to Koester.

Wildlife officials said the case was the worst case of illegal animal killings they’d seen in years, according to the Outdoor News.

A fifth man, 21-year-old Chris Calentine of Montana, is also suspected to be involved in the animal killings, but has not yet been located. A warrant is out for his arrest.