Michigan Men Cross the Line in Ohio and Get Caught Cheating

FINDLAY, OH – The case against eight Williams County, Ohio residents came to a close on November 10, 2010. A total of 31 deer related charges were filed, including one felony, in Williams and Fulton Counties. The total fines and costs were $5,241.00.

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, on December 6, 2009, Williams County Wildlife Officer Tom Kochert responded to a spotlighting complaint and contacted Derek E. Meyers, age 23, and four Michigan residents. This spotlighting stop snowballed into a search warrant served in Fulton County at a hog composting pit where the remains of 12 untagged deer were discovered. This led to numerous interviews by Division of Wildlife Officers. 122 packages of deer meat, misc. deer parts, a .270 rifle, and a 12ga. shotgun were seized and forfeited to the Division of Wildlife.

As a result, eight individuals, six Ohio residents and two Michigan residents, were charged with a variety of third and fourth degree misdemeanors all related to deer hunting.

Derek E. Meyers, 23, of West Unity, was found guilty on each of 15 charges and fined $100.00 per charge plus court costs in Bryan Municipal Court, for a total of $2,048. His hunting rights were suspended for five years. The charges included deer tagging violations, deer checking violations, deer zone violations, deer over limit violations, hunting deer with a rifle, spotlighting, hunting with the aid of a motor vehicle, shooting from the road, crop damage permit violations, and purchasing a license without attending hunter course. Two of the charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Meyers was also found guilty and fined $100.00 plus $78.00 court costs in Fulton County Western District Court for possession of untagged deer parts. He was charged as well with one felony for possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle in Williams County Common Pleas Court. Meyers was placed into the diversion probation program. As part of his probation he is required to complete a hunter safety class and is required to speak at the class about his violations. No hunting is allowed during his probation and he is not to be around any hunting activity. Other conditions of his probation include, $360.00 court costs, 100 hours of community service, and he is not to possess or have under his control any firearms, bows, crossbows or muzzleloaders. All evidence seized was forfeited.

Philip E. Dunson, 29, of Jasper, MI, was found guilty on four charges in Bryan Municipal Court. His charges included falsified temporary deer permit, fail to check in a deer, and two counts of attempting to take more than one deer in Deer Zone A. He paid a total of $1,058.00 in fines and costs. He also lost his hunting privileges for 2 years. All evidence seized was forfeited.

Joey L. Pretzer, 30, of Chesterfield, MI was found guilty on two charges in Bryan Municipal Court. His charges were fail to tag and fail to check a deer. He paid a total of $529.00 in fines and court costs. He lost his hunting privileges for 1 year. All evidence seized was forfeited.

Steve R. Knecht, 22, of Montpelier, was found guilty in Bryan Municipal Court of fail to tag and fail to check a deer. He paid a total of $568.00 in fines and costs. All evidence seized was forfeited.

Kyle W. Knecht, 25, of Helena, was found guilty in Bryan Municipal Court of possession of untagged deer meat. He paid a total of $125.00 in fines and costs. All evidence seized was forfeited.

Kyle R. Miller, 19, of Montpelier, was all found guilty in Bryan Municipal Court of purchasing a hunting license without attending a hunter education course. He paid a total of $125.00 in fines and costs.

Dave B. Barnum II, 35 of West Unity, was all found guilty in Bryan Municipal Court of purchasing a hunting license without attending a hunter education course. He paid a total of $125.00 in fines and costs.

Jackie N. Meyers, 19, of West Unity, was all found guilty in Bryan Municipal Court of purchasing a hunting license without attending a hunter education course. He paid a total of $125.00 in fines and costs.

The Division of Wildlife was made aware of the activity through a tip. Anyone with knowledge of a wildlife violation is encouraged to call the TIP hotline at 1-800-POACHER. The caller can remain anonymous and all calls are confidential.