DEFIANCE COUNTY RESIDENTS CHARGED IN WILDLIFE CASE
COLUMBUS - Six Defiance County residents were charged with 52 wildlife violations in the Defiance Municipal Court following an investigation conducted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.
The six suspects are accused of wildlife violations concerning white-tailed deer, fox, black bear, wild turkey and Canada geese, according to the Division of Wildlife.
Wildlife Investigator Mark Weihrauch and other division officers served a search warrant at the home of Israel Miller on October 28, 2007. While the search warrant was being executed other officers were conducting interviews at three other residences. Officers confiscated an ATV, a trailer used for field transport, a variety of firearms, six mounted deer heads, a mounted black bear, a mounted fox, numerous untagged deer and turkey parts, turkey meat, deer meat and spotlights.
Miscellaneous deer processing equipment was also seized.
As a result, the six individuals were charged with a variety of third and fourth degree misdemeanors including illegal method of taking, overbag, illegal possession, spotlighting and providing false information to a check station.
If convicted, the suspects face possible fines and jail time. A first-time wildlife offense involving the taking or possessing of deer could result in fines of up to $500 and a maximum of 60 days in jail. Violators may also be required to pay restitution for illegally taken animals. Firearms and other items used in the violations may be ordered forfeited.
The Division of Wildlife was made aware of the activity through an anonymous phone call. Anyone with knowledge of any wildlife violation, especially with the deer gun season approaching, is encouraged to call the hotline at 1-800-POACHER. The caller can remain anonymous and all calls are confidential.
Suspects and charges in Defiance County are:
Israel Miller, 30, of Defiance - possession of untagged deer parts (10 counts), take more than one deer in deer zone A (3 counts), take more than one antlered deer per license year (3 counts), hunt and take deer with a rifle (3 counts), possession of untagged turkey parts (2 counts), sale of deer meat, possess a wild animal contrary to ORC or division rule, take a turkey with a rifle, hunt with the aid and use of a motor vehicle, spotlighting with a firearm, possess a black bear taken unlawfully from out of the state, take a Canada goose with a rifle, and take a Canada goose during the closed season
Lynn Miller, 31, of Defiance - tag deer of another, and provide false information to a check station.
William Shook, 29, of Defiance - hunt with the aid and use of a motor vehicle (2 counts), take deer with a firearm (2 counts), spotlighting with a firearm (2 counts), take a Canada goose with a rifle, take a Canada goose during the closed season, and take more than one deer in deer zone A.
Nathan Schindler, 30, of Bryan - possess a wild animal contrary to ORC or division rule (2 counts), take more than one deer in deer zone A (2 counts), Take more than one antlered deer per license year, hunt and take deer with a rifle, and fail to tag a deer.
Chris Schindler, 28, of Bryan - tag deer of another, and provide false information to a check station.
John Coressel, 25, of Defiance - tag deer of another, provide false information to a check station, and aiding a wildlife offender.