DNR Seizes Snapping Turtle Meat from Minnesota Market

FRAZEE (AP) - The operator of a meat market in western Minnesota, his nephew and another man have been charged with taking snapping turtles out of season.

The state Department of Natural Resources in June seized nearly 1.5 tons of turtle meat, 243 shells and 23 live snapping turtles from Ketter's Meats and Locker Plant in Frazee.

State law prohibits taking snapping turtles in May and June. DNR Capt. Stacey Sharp says the next task for investigators is to determine how much of what was seized was actually from turtles taken out of season.

The market's owner, 54-year-old Kevin Ketter; his 21-year-old nephew, Jordan Ketter; and a market employee, 54-year-old Darwin Bartel, were charged by citation with misdemeanors.

Kevin Ketter told The Associated Press Monday he had no comment.