REYNOLDSBURG MAN CONVICTED OF 17 WILDLIFE VIOLATIONS IN OPERATION “PRIZE BUCK”
Three additional individuals charged and convicted in same case
COLUMBUS, OH – Donald B. Reed, 49, of Reynoldsburg, has been convicted of 17 misdemeanor wildlife violations in connection to the illegal harvest and possession of a prize-winning trophy deer, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
Wildlife investigators said Reed harvested and checked an antlered deer on November 15, 2007 then killed a second antlered deer, which was checked on November 22. Reed subsequently entered the second buck in three radio station contests, earning cash and merchandise prizes in the process.
Reed was ordered to pay a total of $5,816 in fines, restitution, and court costs in Licking and Fairfield counties. He will serve 60 days in jail, with an additional 60 days suspended for a five year probationary period. His hunting privileges are suspended for five years and he must serve 120 hours of community service. He also forfeited the deer mount and the crossbow used in the violations.
On March 4, 2008, legislation raising the restitution value of wildlife taken illegally took effect. The new restitution law includes an additional progressive formula will be applied to bucks with a gross score more than 125 inches on the Boone and Crocket scale. The deer in this case, with a gross score of 208 inches, would be worth over $19,000 in restitution now.
Dustin McQuade, Robert Reed, and Kyle Jones also were convicted of several wildlife violations in Franklin County.
The convictions and sentences for all individuals are:
Donald B. Reed, 49, Reynoldsburg – Reed was convicted in Licking County of 16 counts of untagged deer parts, each a third degree misdemeanor. He was ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution, $2,400 in fines, and $991 in court costs. He was sentenced to and served 60 days in jail, his hunting privileges are suspended for three years, and all items seized are forfeited.
In Fairfield County, Reed was convicted of one count of taking more than one antlered deer per license year, also a third degree misdemeanor. He was ordered to pay $500 restitution, $450 in fines, and $475 in court costs. The deer and crossbow used in the violation are forfeited. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail, suspended for a five year probationary period. He will serve 120 hours of community service.
Dustin McQuade, 28, Blacklick – McQuade was convicted in Franklin County of two counts of hunting without a license, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. He was ordered to pay $800 restitution, $271 in fines and court costs, serve 48 hours of community service and 2 years of probation. Three sets of deer antlers were also forfeited, one of which was a 170 class buck which, under the new restitution values, would be worth over $8,000.
Robert Reed, 55, Columbus – Robert Reed was convicted of one count of failure to keep taxidermy records in Franklin County and was ordered to pay $176 in fines and court costs.
Kyle Jones, 18, Gahanna – Jones was convicted in Franklin County of checking in a deer at a check station that was taken by another person. He was ordered to pay $176 in fines and court costs.
Anyone observing wildlife violations may report illegal activity by calling the TIP hotline toll free at 1-800-POACHER or online at wildohio.com.