Law enforcement
Posted Tuesday, 20 December 2011 15:58
CACHE COUNTY — On January 19, 2011, Utah Division Of Wildlife Resources Conservation Officer Matt Burgess received information regarding three mule deer that had been illegally killed. Officer Burgess responded to the Black Smith Fork area along Hollow Road where an investigation was conducted. Officer Burgess found a buck, doe and one fawn mule deer that had been killed and abandoned by unknown individuals. A necropsy showed that all three deer were shot with a rifle.
Upon further investigation two Cache County men were identified as suspects in connection with the killing of the deer. Both individuals were subsequently charged with Wanton Destruction of Protected Wildlife and trespassing.
On November 22 and December 5, 2011 both individuals pleaded guilty to Class A Wanton Destruction of Protected Wildlife in 1st District Court, Cache County.
The men were ordered to pay $2,500 in fines and $1,200 in restitution for the deer that were illegally killed. Both men were ordered to serve 10 days in the Cache County jail, and were placed on probation for 12 months. They were also instructed to perform 120 hours of community service during their probationary period.
Both men currently face the possible suspension of their hunting privileges for up to five years.
