COLUMBUS, OH -- Eight suspected poachers in Jefferson and Trumbull counties were issued summonses today, following a 21-month undercover wildlife investigation, dubbed "Operation TAG," by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
Charges were filed against Keith Beebee, 52, 10829 CR. 56, Box 165, Richmond (13 charges); Karen S. Beebee, 48, of the same address (13 charges); Ken Dorsey, 33, 194 TR 218, Bloomingdale (42 charges); Brian V. Benner, 20, 8370 County Highway 39, Bloomingdale (4 charges); Steven L. Gamron, 21, 129 Main St., Richmond (3 charges); Micheal G. Mauer, 21, 1987 TR. 220, Bloomingdale (2 charges); James A. Schrecengost, 44, 4869 Phillips Rice Rd., Cortland (2 charges); Curtis H. Judy, 52, 4625 SR 43, Richmond (4 charges).
The charges involve more than 70 counts of illegally tagging and taking wild turkeys and white-tailed deer; over-harvesting deer and turkey; spotlighting and shooting deer in the closed season; and tagging deer in other peoples' names. Much of the illegal tagging activity is said to have occurred at the K & L Sports deer checking station in Richmond. Undercover officers describe some of those involved as habitual poachers.
Many additional charges are expected to be filed. The current charges, ranging from first to third degree misdemeanors, can carry a maximum fine of $1,000 and six months in jail.
"The alleged poachers are believed to have illegally taken hundreds of Ohio's wild animals," said Mike Budzik, chief of the ODNR Division of Wildlife. "Poaching is intolerable to legitimate hunters and anglers. Thanks to concerned hunters who were willing to provide information, this illegal activity has now been stopped."
The investigation grew out of numerous poaching complaints from landowners and sportsmen in the Richmond area who called the Division of Wildlife's Turn in a Poacher (T.I.P.) hotline.
"We placed officers undercover because we felt that this was a unique opportunity to strike a blow against poaching in Ohio and to send a strong message that we will not tolerate this behavior," said Dan Schneider, law enforcement administrator for the ODNR Division of Wildlife.
Established in 1982, the T.I.P. program allows individuals to call 1-800-WILDLIFE (800-762-2437) from anywhere in the state to report wildlife violations. Calls can be placed anonymously. -30-