BIRMINGHAM, Ala. AP – Fifteen men arrested in a high-profile sting by wildlife authorities last year have pleaded guilty, including a Wisconsin fox breeder who claims he was railroaded in court.

Faced with the possibility of a lengthy jail term and fines totaling $225,000, Harold Widder said he had no choice but to plead guilty and agree to pay $4,000 in penalties after he was told he otherwise wouldn’t be able to return to his home 900 miles away in Antigo, Wisc.