In a win for wildlife conservation and legal hunting, Christopher J. “CJ” Alexander, 28, of Clinton County, Ohio, has been sentenced to 90 days in jail and fined over $43,000 for his role in a high-profile poaching operation. The sweeping judgment surpasses common poaching penalties, which vary by state but can be as little as $300.
Alexander was convicted on felony charges of theft by deception and tampering with evidence, alongside various misdemeanors related to hunting law violations. The case centered around the illegal poaching of an 18-point white-tailed deer, a trophy animal valued by hunters and conservationists alike.
Prosecutors revealed that Alexander, alongside accomplices Corey and Zachary Haunert and Kristina M. Alexander used deceitful tactics to claim the deer. This included fabricating documentation to mislead authorities and attempting to profit from the sale of wildlife parts.
Ohio Poaching Case: Serious Sentence
The case showed that the deer was poached on private property without proper authorization, violating numerous hunting laws. Investigators uncovered evidence of the group’s involvement in other wildlife crimes, highlighting a pattern of illegal activity aimed at exploiting Ohio’s rich hunting resources.
Prosecutors helped deliver Alexander one of the harshest sentences for a high-profile poaching case in recent history. With it, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost made clear the importance of lawful hunting practices.
“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,” Yost said in a press release.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and the attorney general’s office led the investigation that led to Alexander’s conviction, along with his accomplices.
- Corey Haunert: Pled guilty and received a suspended jail sentence, community service, and a fine.
- Zachary Haunert: Sentenced to probation and fined for his role.
- Kristina M. Alexander: Received a fine and probation after cooperating with investigators.
Full Penalty Sets Harsh Example
The full sentence handed down will leave Alexander with jail time, massive fines, a hunting ban, and more.
- Serve 180 days in jail, with 90 days suspended and the other 90 days served at the Star Community Justice Center before he can be eligible for work release. (His sentence also includes an up to 36-month suspended prison term that becomes active if community control is revoked.)
- Serve 5 years of community control.
- Pay $39,696.73 to the Ohio Wildlife Fund and $2,000 in restitution to KSE Sportsman Media, DBA Outdoor Sportsman Group-IM.
- Pay $1,000 in restitution to the poaching hotline, a $1,000 wildlife fine, and court costs.
- Enter a 4- to 6-month community-based program through the Star Community Justice Center.
Write letters of apology to affected parties. - Forfeit all hunting-related property seized by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife as evidence.
- Lose hunting license for a minimum of 10 years; if full restitution is not paid by then, the license remains revoked until full payment is made.
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