Man convicted of stinking up Lincoln DMV by throwing fish and carrots

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A jury found a Lincoln man guilty on Tuesday of throwing fish inside a DMV office.

Joseph Schrader, 34, took the stand in his own defense in his two-day trial.

But at the end, he was convicted of misdemeanor criminal mischief and disturbing the peace.

On May 17, the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles opened its new office near Northwest First Street and West Highland Boulevard.

But a few hours later, part of the brand-new space already needed to be replaced.

About 2 p.m. that day, Schrader came into the DMV “very agitated,” according to an arrest affidavit.

As he left, he tossed a bag containing fish and carrots in the office.

Officers said they found pieces of food on the floor, walls and ceiling.

The building “smelled heavily of fish,” the affidavit says. And police said when they caught up to Schrader, he smelled fishy, too.

Shrader told officers that “something fishy” was happening at the DMV because it didn’t issue him an ID, inspiring his display of rage.

He was arrested on suspicion of felony criminal mischief because the DMV estimated the damage at $9,000.

But the damage amount turned out to be much lower, resulting in a misdemeanor charge instead.

The jury found that Schrader was responsible for $3,305.50 of damage to the DMV.

He will be sentenced on Jan. 17.