Wildlife Officers Indicted

[Duke]

Seems some of the Wildlife Officers in Ohio feel that the Law only applies to us.....what a shame to bring such discredit on the Dept of Wildlife in Ohio.

This Article was posted in the Ohio Outdoor News:

Georgetown, Ohio - The chief of the DNR Division of Wildlife, an assistant chief and four other DOW officials were placed on paid administrative leave after being indicted on felony charges.

Five employees are accused of failure to pursue a criminal investigation of a wildlife officer charged with assisting a South Carolina wildlife officer to purchase a $19 Ohio resident hunting license instead of a $125 out-of-state license.

Indictments of obstruction of justice and complicity to obstruction of justice were returned April 2 in Brown County against DOW Chief David Graham, Assistant Chief Randy Miller, Law Enforcement Administrator James Lehman, Human Resources Administrator Michele Ward-Tackett, and District 5 Manager Todd Haines. The charges carry a maximum penalty of up to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Wildlife Officer Allan Wright was charged with three felony counts of tampering with records and a misdemeanor count of falsification. The felony counts carry a maximum penalty of up to a year in prison and a $2,500 fine.

Wright admitted to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife investigator he allowed a South Carolina wildlife officer to use Wright's home address in 2006 on an Ohio resident hunting application. Providing fraudulent information on a hunting application is a first-degree misdemeanor. Wright later admitted to a DOW investigator he checked three deer killed by Eric Vaughn in Ohio and recorded his own Ohio address and badge number on the harvest reports.

All six employees of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources pleaded not guilty to the charges April 5 in Brown County Common Pleas Court. The were placed on paid leave two days later, said Mark Shelton, ODNR chief of external services.

"The public service provided by Division of Wildlife and Ohio Department of Natural Resources is not going to suffer while these personnel investigations go forward," Shelton said. A felony conviction prohibits a person from state employment and loss of a state pension, Shelton said.

Graham, addressing the Ohio Wildlife Council in early April, echoed that sentiment, calling these "extraordinary circumstances."

"I want to assure Wildlife Council that the Division staff is strong and capable and has the support of the director,"_he said.

DOW Assistant Chief Jim Marshall will serve as acting director while the court cases are pending, Shelton said.

"It smells bad the farther up you go," Brown County Prosecutor Jessica Little said. "If you see a crime you should report it."

The governor's office and watchdog unit should be commended for its four-month investigation, Little said.

The 17-page Inspector General's investigative report found Wright admitted his role in obtaining an Ohio resident hunting license for a friend, Vaughn. The IG concluded "DOW administrators failed to investigate the deception as a criminal matter."

Wright claimed the practice of granting resident hunting licenses to out-of-state-wildlife officers was a common courtesy acknowledged by DOW officials, according to the IG report. IG investigators have since found no evidence the DOW officials attempted to verify if such a practice existed during an administrative and disciplinary investigation of Wright in 2008.

Graham, Miller, Ward-Tackett and Haines told the IG they did not regard Wright's actions as criminal because the practice of obtaining Ohio hunting licenses for out-of-state wildlife officers was a common practice and supervisors had knowledge or approved the practice. They also acknowledged to the IG if a civilian provided fraudulent information on a hunting license, criminal charges would be pursued against the individual.

In 1996, the Ohio DOW granted several requests for complimentary hunting and fishing licenses to West Virginia and Kentucky wildlife employees and, in turn, the West Virginia Department of Fish and Wildlife Services granted requests for complimentary hunting and fishing licenses from the Ohio DOW, according to documents obtained by Ohio Outdoor News.

IG investigators for the state watchdog checked all 308,592 Ohio hunting licenses issued in 2006 and compared addresses to Ohio's 155 wildlife officers.

Vaughn "had the only record that did not have the same family name of the residence, and that had a previous or subsequent out-of-state address," the OIG report stated. "The results of this query demonstrate that other wildlife officers are not making a common practice of allowing nonresidents to use officers' addresses to obtain a resident hunting license."

The IG found that Wright also used his own address to assist an acquaintance, John Coffin of Michigan, obtain an Ohio hunting license in 2001.

Because Coffin is not a wildlife officer, this conflicted with Wright's assertion to investigators that granting resident licenses to out-of-state wildlife officers, especially Indiana and Kentucky, was common DOW courtesy, the IG report stated.

Vaughn reimbursed Ohio for the license fee difference, said Col. Alvin Taylor, director of the South Carolina DNR law enforcement division. Taylor described Vaughn as a good officer who was not aware he had done anything wrong while hunting in Ohio.

The South Carolina DNR investigated Wright in 2007 for alleged trapping violations in South Carolina and issued Wright a warning letter for failure to comply with administrative reporting procedures, Taylor said. In addition, a federal wildlife investigator interviewed Wright on a complaint about alleged misconduct by an FWS officer.

During the South Carolina investigation, Wright admitted to the federal investigator he helped Vaughn obtain an Ohio resident hunting license in 2006. The federal investigator's findings were sent to the Ohio DOW, which investigated in 2008 and found no criminal wrongdoing.

Tackett agreed to classify Wright's actions as "failure of good behavior" requiring a verbal reprimand, the IG report stated. Graham agreed with the recommendation, and Miller felt Wright's action was not dishonest because Wright "didn't willfully set out to do that," according to the IG report.

"It is unclear how Wildlife could proceed with an administrative investigation and discipline if, at the time of the offense, there was no policy prohibiting Wright from taking part in providing a resident license to a nonresident," the IG report concluded.

In March 2008, Graham issued a memo requiring Ohio DOW employees to purchase out-of-state license when hunting outside the Buckeye state.

"Any person purchasing a resident license will be held personally and professionally responsible for their actions," Graham wrote in the memo.

Graham issued a second memo seven months later that out-of-state wildlife employees hunting and fishing in Ohio "must follow the same guidelines, rules and regulations as any other out-of-state patrons."

[big mike 50]

Makes you wonder what else they would come up with if they put half the effort into sting operations in their own department as they did to catch us criminals.

[Bobby Vest]

Sounds like they got the fox watching the hen house.

[da ridgetop]

Couple of years ago in rockcastle ky we had one that would cite you for anything talk to you worse than adog even if you were totally legal,next thing you know they caught him with a bunch of guns and atv's that he had confiscated but somehow never made it on paper or to the police station know he's pulling time in the federal pen but i wonder how many people he cited just to get there equipment?
Donald

[jdwiley]

Had a long time Bully(Game Warden) in our area. They got him for having WAY over bag limit of all different wild game in his personal freezer. I heard all they did was move him to another area!
Seems like the Officers we have now are strait shooters though. Always professional and helpful if need be!

[Mapel Valley Kennels LLC.]

I shoot trap w/ several game wardens and state police, There is bad in all but in order to be a great game warden it does take a certain amount of outlaw in ya too catch to bad guys. I would suppose my favorite game warden would be ol Jason Campbell-----Pike Co Get er dun.On the good side been seeing on the news where ky wildlife officers have been helping rescue kentucky flood victims.They aint all bad , just doing there job.

[wvduece]

we have some realmart azz's here not all but alot of them one made my son a few years ago carry his gut pile back up in the woods it was his first buck kill with a bow to beat it all it was on a old haul road up in a hollow i belive if it was me i would probally went to jail i wouldnt have carried a gut pile back up in the woods for that sorry sob jb

[Moore Beagles]

Duke The Sad thing is Alan Wright is probably the Best Wildlife Officer in Southern Ohio!

[Duke]

If that were true my friend it would be very scary and sad indeed. Seems this isnt his first run in with the law he protects as he has been in trouble for violating south carolina game laws also while trapping. The whole report by the Insector generals office is here:

http://watchdog.ohio.gov/investigations/2009340.pdf

Of course no-one is guilty in this country until convicted, however the officials in the report have admitted to their actions.

[brush_hog]

Pennsylvania is noted for deputizing the biggest outlaws around. I guess other states must be doing that now. The outlaws know how to catch outlaws, but I guess temptation gets the best of them once in a while.

[Duke]

Brush Hog I think we have an isolated incident with a cover up by friends here. At least I hope. Here are some of the investigation findings in the case:

Brown County Wildlife Officer Allan Wright is accused of allowing South Carolina resident Eric Vaughn to use Wright's home address on an application for a hunting permit in November of 2006. According to the State of Ohio Office of the Inspector General, records indicate that Vaughn paid $19 for a residential hunting permit, rather than the $125 fee that out-of-state hunters are typically required to pay.

Additionally, the Office of the Inspector General found that Wright personally checked in three deer killed by Vaughn and allegedly recorded his own home address on the tags.

In addition to Wright, five other ODNR Division of Wildlife employees - all in supervisory positions - have each been charged with two fifth-degree felony counts because they allegedly failed to initiate a criminal investigation once allegations against Wright became known to the Division. Division of Wildlife Chief David Graham, Assistant Chief Randy Miller, Law Enforcement Administrator James Lehman, District 5 Manager Todd Haines and Human Resources Administrator Michele Ward-Tackett have each been indicted on charges of obstruction of justice and complicity to obstructing justice. Each defendant could face a maximum of 12 months in prison in addition to fines on each count.

NOW THIS PART IS TELL TALE:

During interviews with Graham, Miller, Lehman, Haines and Ward-Tackett, each individual allegedly admitted to investigators that Wildlife would pursue criminal charges against any civilian who obtained or attempted to obtain a hunting license using fraudulent information.

And this part by the
Chief of the wildlife division who was indicted and is tell tale:

Graham also acknowledged to investigators he was close friends with Allan Wright, the wildlife officer who allegedly obtained the cheaper hunting license for the South Carolina official.

[mooredog]

ALL CHARGES DROPPED ! AIN'T THAT A HOOT ! Lol !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PikeKy]

Thanks for the kind word Jimmie. Come visit sometime, I've been running dogs with Riley and trying to learn how to play the guitar!!

Jason Campbell

[Duke]

Yes a very interesting twist this out of Georgetown. Seems they have not returned the Wildlife Officer to duty. And if he is the main target of the investigation I wonder why the charges still remain on the rest of the Officers.

By MISTY MAYNARD, Staff Writer | Posted: Monday, May 17, 2010 9:05 pm

GEORGETOWN, Ohio -- Charges have been dropped against one of six employees of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife indicted in April.

Allan Wright had been charged with two counts of tampering with records and one count of falsification for allegedly allowing a South Carolina officer to use his home address in Brown County when purchasing a hunting license in 2006. An in-state license costs $19, while the out-of-state license costs $125.

Wright was also charged with personally checking in three deer killed by the South Carolina officer and using his home address in that process.

Officials allegedly knew Wright committed the offenses but failed to refer him for prosecution, resulting in charges against five ODNR administrative employees.

A "Nolle Prosequi" was entered last week in Brown County Common Pleas Court for the case against Wright, which is an entry that a prosecutor will not proceed in the case.

According to the entry, "the special prosecutor intends to conduct an independent investigation and presentation to the Brown County grand jury."

The entry was submitted by Special Assistant Prosecuting Attorney David Kelley.

An internal investigation was completed by ODNR administrators following the 2006 incident and a verbal reprimand was issued to Wright.

The Ohio Inspector General investigated the incident after a confidential informant filed a complaint with them in September, 2009, two years after the verbal reprimand was issued.

ODNR Division of Wildlife Chief David Graham, who has been charged with obstructing justice and complicity to obstruct justice for failing to refer Wright for prosecution, filed a motion to dismiss charges citing the 1967 case of Garrity vs. New Jersey. According to the case, a statement taken from a public employee under the threat of discharge or discipline renders those statements inadmissible in state court criminal proceedings due to coercion. No decision has been made regarding the motion, according to a Clerk of Courts employee.

Brown County Prosecuting Attorney Jessica Little has said previously Garrity does not apply in Graham's case because it must be read to the employees by a direct supervisor and the OIG is a separate government entity, not a supervisor and did not have the power to discharge Graham.

Others charged with obstructing justice and complicity to obstruct justice include Law Enforcement Administrator James Lehman, Human Resources Administrator Michele Ward, District 5 Manager Todd Haines and Assistant Chief of ODNR Division of Wildlife Randy Miller. All have motions to suppress evidence filed, a Clerk of Courts employee said.

And this out of Cincinnati.

Charges Against Brown County ODNR Officer Dismissed

Last Update: 5/13 8:49 am


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All charges against an Ohio Department of Natural Resources officer in Brown County are dismissed.

Officer Allan Wright was accused of allowing another wildlife officer from out of state to use his home address when applying for a hunting license, saving the other officer about $106.

Wright was originally charged with tampering with evidence and obstruction of justice. A special prosecutor decided not to move ahead with the case. But, he says the investigation will continue, and new charges are possible.

ODNR says Wright will remain on paid administrative leave until further notice.

[Duke]

Here we go again......


"New charges against wildlife officer"

Felony charges of being in possession of a loaded firearm while intoxicated were added Monday against a local wildlife officer who was arrested early Saturday on a drunk driving.

Charlie Stone, a 27-year veteran officer with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, appeared Monday morning in Marietta Municipal Court to face the charges. Court records indicate he performed poorly on field sobriety tests, falling down once.

Stone's arraignment was continued to 8:30 a.m. May 24 after he requested time to consult with an attorney.

Stone was not on duty and was driving his personal vehicle at the time of his arrest.

Heidi Hetzel-Evans, a spokeswoman for ODNR, said Stone will remain on duty for the time being.

"ODNR will wait until grand jury proceedings, and if and when Mr. Stone is indicted, we will proceed as necessary," Hetzel-Evans said. "Until then, the officer remains on duty."

Stone, who worked 24 years as a wildlife officer in Washington County and the past three years as a regional wildlife investigator for southeast Ohio, was stopped by an Ohio Highway Patrol trooper at 12:27 a.m. Saturday near the intersection of Braun Road and Ohio 7 in Belpre.

According to a statement of facts filed by Trooper S.L. Rogers, Stone was driving west on Ohio 7 when he merged without using a turn signal, drove over the yellow fog line for five seconds and then turned left onto Braun Road without using a signal.

Rogers said when he approached Stone he could smell an odor of an alcohol and he noticed Stone's eyes were bloodshot. He said Stone admitted to having consumed "a couple of beers."

According to Rogers, when Stone was stopped, he advised he had a gun in his unlocked glovebox and that he was a law enforcement officer.

Rogers and another trooper performed administrative inventory of Stone's vehicle before it was towed and reportedly found a loaded 9 mm hand gun in the glovebox.

Under Ohio law, it is illegal for any person to be in possession of a gun while intoxicated. The crime is a fifth-degree felony and punishable by up to a year in prison. Stone faces up to six months in jail, plus a driver's license suspension, on the OVI charge.

An ODNR official said Stone has had past disciplinary problems, but that person would not elaborate. A request was made with the Division of Wildlife to review the officer's personnel file, but The Times was told the file would not be available for review until today.