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UNDERCOVER WILDLIFE INVESTIGATION HOOKS
12 SUSPECTED POACHERS
COLUMBUS, OH -- "Operation Overbag," an undercover investigation conducted by officers of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, resulted in the arrests of 12 suspected poachers on Saturday, October 30. Officers also executed a search warrant on a fish cleaning and retail seafood store in Lorain County.
The individuals are accused of a variety of wildlife offenses including: taking more than the legal limit of yellow perch, walleye and steelhead trout; taking more than the legal limit of deer; failure to legally tag and check deer; hunting deer by illegal methods and failure to obtain licenses and permits. The bulk of the illegal activity is said to have occurred in Lorain County, but some violations occurred in southeastern Ohio. State wildlife officers issued the 43 summonses on Saturday for courts in Lorain, Athens, and Jackson counties.
"We believe the alleged poachers in this case have stolen thousands of wild animals from the people of Ohio," said Steven A. Gray, chief of the Division of Wildlife. "It is because of conscientious hunters and anglers of our state, and their willingness to get involved, that this illegal activity has now been stopped.”
The 12 suspected poachers have been charged with 43 third and fourth-degree misdemeanor counts of violating Ohio’s wildlife laws. According to investigators, additional individuals may be charged, pending further investigation. Each fourth-degree misdemeanor conviction can carry a maximum fine of $250 and 30 days jail. Third-degree misdemeanors can carry a maximum fine of $500 and 60 days jail. Additionally, hunting and fishing licenses may be revoked and equipment may be forfeited.
In addition to the arrests, wildlife officers conducted a search of Ardick Seafood in Lorain County where they seized business records and 112 pounds of yellow perch.
"This investigation was initiated after numerous poaching complaints were received through the Turn-In-a-Poacher (TIP) hotline from hunters in the Lorain County area," said Daniel T. Schneider, law enforcement executive administrator for the Division of Wildlife. "We have received information for several years with reference to these individuals, and were able to place officers undercover because of this information. We were given a unique opportunity to strike a blow against poaching in this community and send a strong message that this activity will not tolerated.”
Established in 1982, the TIP program allows Ohioans to call toll free, from anywhere in the state, to report wildlife violations. Calls can be placed anonymously at 1-800-POACHER (800-762-2437) or through the Division of Wildlife’s website.
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EDITORS NOTE: Names of the individuals arrested and the number and
nature of charges pending against them are listed below:
Scott E. Bruegger, 42, Avon Lake, OH
9- Taking more than the legal limit of yellow perch
2- Taking more than the legal limit of walleye
1- Taking two antlered deer in one season
1- Failure to attach a temporary tag to a deer
1- Failure to report deer to a deer check station
1-Hunting deer without a valid deer permit
Lynn H. Bolling, 61, Avon, OH
8- Taking more than the legal limit of yellow perch
2- Taking more than the legal limit of walleye
Elam G. Bruegger, 69, Avon Lake, OH
2- Taking more than the legal limit of yellow perch
Thomas Puskarich, 53, Elyria, OH
1- Taking more than the legal limit of yellow perch
1- Failure to attach a temporary tag to a deer
1- Failure to report deer to a deer check station
Christina L. Kulik, 37, Avon Lake, OH
1- Taking more than the legal limit of yellow perch
2- Taking more than the legal limit of walleye
Brian A. Coy, 42, Avon Lake, OH
1- Taking more than the legal limit of yellow perch
Dave A. Frey, 49, Avon Lake, OH
2- Hunting deer with out a valid deer permit.
Eric J. Schatschneider, 44, Avon, OH
1- Hunting deer without a valid deer permit
1- Hunting deer with a shotgun during muzzleloader weapons season.
1- Hunting deer with buck shot during muzzleloader weapons season
Sean A. Boutin, 34, Avon Lake, OH
1- Taking more than the legal limit of yellow perch
David B. Richmond, 56, Athens, OH
1-Checking in a deer killed by another person
Terrence J. Urig, 46, Avon, OH
1- Failure to attach a temporary tag to a deer
Hugh Donald Nagel, 53, Avon, OH
1- Failure to attach a temporary tag to a deer
1- Failure to report deer to a deer check station
Ardick Seafood, Lorain, OH
- Search warrant served on business. Charges Pending
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