An Ohio man has been sentenced to a hefty penalty following a high-profile case of deer poaching.
Christopher J. Alexander, 28, of Wilmington in Clinton County, was sentenced to 6 months in jail and ordered to pay $43,000 in fines for unlawfully harvesting an 18-point, white-tailed deer in November 2023 – a trophy animal seen as a beneficial state pure useful resource, Ohio Legal professional Common Dave Yost stated.
It was the best restitution quantity ever imposed for a single deer in Ohio historical past, in line with the state’s Division of Pure Assets.
“Hunting in Ohio is a time-honored tradition, and there is a proper way to be safe and successful,” Yost stated. “When bad actors like these guys try to cheat the system, it ruins the reputation of Ohio’s respected sportsmen and women – I can’t stand for that.”
Authorities stated Alexander, a ringleader, pleaded responsible to 14 different prices final October – all misdemeanors, together with looking violations, falsification, backlighting and the sale of wildlife elements.
Along with fines and jail time, Alexander was sentenced to 5 years of neighborhood management and a 10-year revocation of his looking license.
He additionally forfeited all of the property that was seized as proof, together with the trophy deer’s antlers.
In line with investigators, Alexander was aided in his crimes by his sister, Kristina M. Alexander, in addition to Corey and Zachary Haunert.
All three entered plea agreements on Oct. 15 and have since been sentenced to punishments together with fines, neighborhood service and revocation of licenses.
