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6 plead guilty to deer poaching in York County

SPRING GROVE (WPMT)-Six Spring Grove people were sentenced after pleading guilty to poaching 18 white-tailed deer, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission...
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SPRING GROVE (WPMT)-Six Spring Grove people were sentenced after pleading guilty to poaching 18 white-tailed deer, according

6 plead guilty to deer poaching in York County

to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

The poachers face more than $23,000 in combined fines for illegally killing yearlings and adults does and bucks, including a nine-point buck, according to a news release. They were also in possession of two other illegal deer.

44-year-old Amy Daughtery, 41-year-old Jennifer Rosenberry, 30-year-old Cain Rosenberry, 21-year-old Joshua Runkle, and two minors admitted to shooting the deer beginning in September 2014. The poaching ended on the final Friday of the 2014 Regular Rifle Deer Season, the game commission said.

Daughtery, Jennifer Rosenberry, and one of the minors waived their right to hearings and plead guilty to five counts of unlawful taking of big game, four counts of shooting on or across highways, three counts of unlawful use of lights while hunting, three counts of unlawfully spotting during rifle deer season, two counts of using a motorized vehicle to locate game or wildlife, two counts of possessing a loaded firearm in a vehicle, two counts of false or fraudulent statements on reports, one count of using a rifle during archery season and one count of unlawful taking or possession of game or wildlife. The three were fined $7,650, plus court costs.

Cain Rosenberry, Runkle and another minor plead guilty to 10 counts of unlawful taking of big game, eight counts of trespassing on private property, eight counts of unlawful use of lights while hunting, seven counts of shooting on or across highways, five counts of unlawful taking or possession of game or wildlife, five counts of unlawfully spotlighting during rifle deer season, two counts of failing to report big game kills within 10 days, two counts of false or fraudulent statements on reports, one count of using a motorized vehicle to locate game or wildlife, and one count of possessing a loaded firearm in a vehicle. According to a plea agreement, Rosenberry, Runkle and the minor were fined $15,650.  Additionally, one of the firearms must be forfeited to the game commission.

The game commission said it did not receive the first poaching reports until the second week of the regular rifle deer season. As many as 17 deer had been killed by that time, according to a news release.

Investigators received reports of someone shooting from the road in Spring Grove on Dec. 10. Wildlife Conservation Officer Steven Knickel and Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer Matthew Miller began an investigation into the report.

On Dec. 18, Knickel  served a warrant at the Daugherty home. Investigators seized multiple firearms, bows, crossbows, and other hunting equipment, as well as skulls, antlers, hides and meat. Also taken was a Dry Erase Board with a tally of

6 plead guilty to deer poaching in York County

each individual’s harvest totals for the year, the game commission said.

A total of 20 unlawful deer were harvested by all parties involved, including several tagged using Maryland tags.

More than half the animals were killed at night time or during closed season, using lights, from the highway, the game commission said. Some were killed on private property on which the individuals had no permission to hunt. One was shot from the vehicle.

The deer were all processed and packaged at the Daugherty residence, according to the game commission.

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