Taking of Ohio trophy buck leads to record restitution
Poacher sentenced in Clinton County
A 28-year-old man was sentenced to pay the maximum restitution for the 18-point trophy buck, $35,071.73, the largest restitution value for a single white-tailed deer in Ohio’s history, the state wildlife division reports.
Christopher J. Alexander, of Wilmington, was sentenced Dec. 12 in Clinton County Common Pleas Court for unlawfully shooting a trophy white-tailed deer buck in November 2023, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife said.
Restitution increased to $39,696.73 when $4,625 was added for a second unlawfully taken buck during the 2023 hunting season, the state detailed in its news release.
Alexander, the ODNR said:
-- was also sentenced to complete five years of community control and serve six months at STAR Community Justice Center, a locked-down community-based correctional facility, ODNR said.
-- received a 10-year hunting license revocation and forfeited all property seized as evidence, including the trophy deer’s antlers.
-- was ordered to pay $1,000 in fines, $1,000 to the Turn In a Poacher (TIP) program, $2,000 in restitution to media outlets, and all court costs.
The Division of Wildlife said that it conducted an investigation into Alexander’s taking of the trophy buck on Nov. 9, 2023, after receiving information alleging that the deer was taken unlawfully.
"The Division of Wildlife would like to thank the wildlife officers and investigators who contributed to the case as well as its partners who assisted in reaching justice," it said in a statement.
In October, the release said, Alexander pleaded guilty to 14 counts related to the incident, along with his unlawful taking of a second antlered deer in the 2023-24 hunting season:
Illegal taking or possession of deer (two)
Hunting without a license
Hunting without a deer permit
Selling illegally taken or possessed deer antlers
Spotlighting
Hunting without permission (four)
Tampering with evidence
Theft
Misdemeanor theft
Falsification
Three accomplices connected to the case were also sentenced, the ODNR said:
-- Corey P. Haunert, 29, of Hillsboro, was charged for attempted tampering with evidence, aiding a wildlife offender in taking or possessing deer (three counts), hunting without permission, and falsification. He was ordered to pay $500 in fines; pay $500 to the TIP program; pay additional court costs; serve 90 days in jail, suspended; complete 200 hours of community service; and complete three years of community control. In addition, his hunting license was revoked for three years and he forfeited a tree stand and crossbow.
-- Kristina M. Alexander, 37, of Blanchester, was charged for obstructing official business and aiding a wildlife offender. She was ordered to pay $500 in fines; pay $500 to the TIP program; pay additional court costs; serve 60 days in jail, suspended; and complete one year of monitored time supervision.
-- Zachary R. Haunert, 31, of Lebanon, was charged for aiding a wildlife offender. He was ordered to pay $250 in fines; pay $250 to the TIP program; pay additional court costs; serve 60 days in jail, suspended; and complete one year of monitored time supervision.