News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2010
Six Found Guilty in Paulding County Deer Case
FINDLAY, OH – A two year investigation of an illegal deer processing operation came to a conclusion with the recent sentencing of the last of the defendants, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
A search warrant was served at the residence of Landall Hinchcliff, 46, of Grover Hill on February 22, 2009. Untagged deer antlers, over 100 pounds of untagged deer meat, chest freezer, meat slicer, meat grinder, bone saw, meat smoker and a band saw were seized.
A total of 73 charges were filed against six individuals in the Paulding County Court, Van Wert Municipal Court and the Putnam County Court. The combined fines, court costs and restitution of the six individuals totaled $6852.50.
Landall L. Hinchcliff, 46, of Grover Hill, OH was found guilty on 57 charges in Paulding County Court and one charge in Van Wert Municipal Court. The charges included 37 counts of records violations, 13 counts of untagged deer meat, 4 counts of untagged deer antlers, 3 counts of selling deer meat and 1 count of aiding a wildlife offender. He was ordered to pay a total of $4,102.00 in fines and costs and his hunting privileges were revoked for three years. Additionally, he was placed on five years of probation during which a 180 day jail sentence was reserved. He is also prohibited from processing deer during the term of his probation. All evidence seized during the execution of the search warrant was forfeited to the state.
Christina R. Hinchcliff, 39, of Grover Hill, OH was found guilty of tagging a deer taken deer by another hunter and checking-in a deer taking by another hunter in Paulding County Court. She was ordered to pay a total of $615 in fines and court costs and her hunting privileges were revoked for three years. She was also placed on probation for five years during which a 60 days jail sentence was reserved. In the Putnam County Court she was found guilty of selling deer meat. In that case she was ordered to pay $385 in fines and costs. A 60 day jail sentence was suspended on the condition she have no similar offenses within the next 2 years.
John R. Hinchcliff, 81, of Grover Hill, OH was found guilty in Paulding County Court of tagging and checking a deer of another and for providing false information to a deer check station. He paid a total of $157.00 in fines and costs and his hunting privileges were revoked for three years. He was also placed on probation for five years during which an additional $1500.00 in fines and a 180 day jail sentence were reserved.
Greg R. Shelton, 41, of Grover Hill, OH was found guilty on five charges in Paulding County Court. His charges included killing more than one antlered deer in a year, two counts of killing more than one deer in Deer Zone A and two counts of failing to immediately tag a deer. He paid a total of $1,368.50 in fines, costs, and restitution. He was placed on five years probation with 60 days jail reserved on each of the five charges. He hunting privileges were revoked for 1 year with an additional two years of revocation stayed during the term of his probation.
Karl R. Miller, 44, of Continental, OH was found guilty in Putnam County Court of possessing untagged deer antlers. He paid a total of $125.00 in fines and costs with no similar offenses for a period of two years.
Mary J. Miller, 47, of Continental, OH was found guilty in Putnam County Court of possessing two raccoons in captivity. She paid a total of $100.00 in fines and costs with no similar offenses for a period of two years.
Many investigations and surveillance operations are a result of concerned citizen reports and calls to the Turn-In-A-Poacher hotline. Callers can leave information on the TIP line 24 hours a day and may be left anonymously. To report a wildlife violation, call 1-800-POACHER, a state wildlife officer, or submit information online at www.wildohio.com