LORAIN COUNTY POACHER CONVICTED OF KILLING DEER WITH RIFLE
Poacher ordered to pay more than $1,500 and forfeit rifle; hunting privileges revoked
AKRON, OH – A Spencer resident will not be participating in Ohio’s hunting opportunities for the next three years, following his conviction on multiple state wildlife violations. Brian Zoldock, 40, 7421 Firestone Road, was found guilty of four third-degree misdemeanors for illegally killing a deer on November 16.
According to court papers filed by state wildlife investigators, Zoldock, accompanied by his two young sons, was driving in southern Lorain County when he shot a deer from his truck with a 30-30 rifle. The deer was standing in a private field.
Zoldock immediately fled the scene. When he later returned to claim his prize, two state wildlife officers were waiting to apprehend him.
Judge Thomas A. Januzzi of the Oberlin Municipal Court found Zoldock guilty of taking a deer with a rifle from a public roadway, and with the aid of a motor vehicle – all violations of state wildlife law. Moreover, Januzzi found Zoldock guilty of hunting on private property without permission. He ordered Zoldock to pay $1,575 in fines, restitution and court costs. The man’s hunting license was revoked for three years and the rifle used to poach the deer was ordered forfeited to the Division of Wildlife. A 60-day jail sentence was suspended, pending no further violations in the next three years.
“We thank the honest sportsmen who help lead us to this arrest, as well as the Oberlin Municipal Court for taking this case very seriously,” stated Doug Miller, law enforcement supervisor for the Division of Wildlife. “Would-be violators should take heed of this case and understand that poaching is unacceptable.”
The Division of Wildlife encourages anyone who is aware of a possible violation of wildlife laws to call the Turn In a Poacher (TIP) line at 1-800-POACHER. Callers can remain anonymous.