Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 13, 1990 TAG: 9004130422
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B2 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HUNTINGTON, W.VA. LENGTH: Short
The charges stem from a four-state investigation over two years of the illegal killing of wildlife and the illegal sale of stuffed game, said division director Ed Hamrick.
"We expect we'll probably have some additional arrests or charges filed, although our main source has already been charged," Hamrick said.
James R. Thompson, 42, of Huntington pleaded guilty Wednesday night in Wayne County Magistrate Court to five misdemeanor counts and was sentenced to 150 days in jail, fined $1,110 and ordered to pay $186 in court costs, Hamrick said.
Thompson pleaded guilty to killing two deer, a hawk and an owl illegally, plus the illegal sale of wildlife meat, said Lt. Dan McKinney.
In addition, Thompson also faces charges in Virginia on one felony count of illegal sale of wildlife and one misdemeanor count of illegally bringing wildlife into the state. He was arrested on those charges April 4 in Bland County, Va., and released on $2,500 bond, McKinney said.
West Virginia officers also have filed misdemeanor charges against Phillip Jackson of Wayne County on a count of illegal possession of a hawk and Berry Booth of Huntington on illegal possession of an owl, McKinney said.
Thompson was the focal point of the investigation, which expanded into Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky, Hamrick said.
by CNB