January 21, 2010
Prison Time Possible In Hunting Scam
What was suppose to be a family hunting business could send a father and son team to prison for a long time.
Elmer Payne and his son, Todd, are charged with 14 counts of breaking and entering and one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
Both pleaded not guilty in Adams County today.
The Paynes are facing felony charges for allegedly taking high priced, cash paying clients on trophy deer and turkey hunts on Adams County farms over an eight month period in 2008.
Investigators say the Paynes did not have permission to be on any of the 14 properties involved and some land owners were afraid of the men.
Two of the so-called hunters were undercover wildlife officers.
In September, the Paynes were found guilty on a number of wildlife violations. Their attorney calls the new charges bizarre.
But investigators believe more hunts took place since September and the Paynes have plans to keep booking hunts in the spring.