Press Releases

October 31, 2008

Maine Warden Service: Six Men Plead Guilty to Poaching-Related Activity Charges

Augusta – Six family members involved in the illegal killing and selling of deer in the South Paris, Greenwood and Bethel areas have plead guilty to charges that resulted from a nearly two-year investigation by the Maine Warden Service.

The Maine Warden Service’s Wildlife Crimes Investigation Division initiated the special investigation in late 2006 after it received numerous complaints from the public, hunters and law enforcement about alleged poaching activities they witnessed regarding one of the men. Six men who are relatives were summonsed last February after search warrants were served on four of the men’s residences last January.

Oxford County Assistant District Attorney Joe O’Connor worked with the Maine Warden Service to adjudicate the individuals. Many of the defendants plead guilty in the last few months; one plead guilty on Monday, Oct. 27.

The crimes included: night hunting, hunting deer in closed season, exceeding the limit on deer, killing of deer over bait, theft of traps, and trapping without a license. All were charged with Class D and Class E hunting crimes according to Title 12 of the State of Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife laws.

“Poaching is a serious crime and we will prosecute,” said Colonel Joel Wilkinson, chief warden of the Maine Warden Service. “It robs valuable wildlife resources from the people of the state of Maine. They are the real victims in this and all poaching incidents.”

The following subjects plead guilty as the result of plea bargains:

Kyle A. Morgan, DOB 5-1-87, South Paris (Greenwood Post Office box): three (3) counts of night hunting and three (3) counts of theft of traps; $3,000 fine and 30 days in jail;

Matthew W. Cole, DOB 1-18-84, Greenwood (formerly Bryant Pond): three (3) counts of exceeding limit on deer; $3,000 fine and 14 days in jail;

Thomas L. Walker, DOB 10-15-52, Bethel: one count of hunting/possessing deer in closed season, one (1) count of exceeding limit on deer; $2,000 fine and 14 days in jail;

Matthew T. Walker, DOB 6-19-84, Bethel: one (1) count of falsely registering a deer; $1,000 fine;

Raymond J. Walker, DOB 5-26-43, Norway: one (1) count of falsely registering a deer; $300 fine;

James M. Campbell, DOB 4-19-87, West Paris: one (1) count of baiting deer, one (1) count of trapping without a license; $300 in total fines ($150 on each count), community service.

Several of the convicted individuals also will be subject to license and permit revocations by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Jonathan J. Morgan of Greenwood, DOB 10-9-59, also was charged in February. His case still is being adjudicated.

Maine Warden Service Captain Dan Scott commends the dedication and commitment of the investigators in the Wildlife Crimes Investigation Division, the local Game Wardens who worked on this case, and Mr. O’Connor and the Oxford County District Attorney’s Office for prosecuting the charges.

“This case clearly demonstrates the outstanding results that come from teamwork and great communication,” said Captain Scott.

This investigation revealed patterns of illegal hunting activities and behaviors by other subjects related to or associated with the above named individuals, according to Captain Scott. The Maine Warden Service will continue to investigate these practices and address them as appropriate.

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

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