May 12, 2010
Poached deer nets hunter $23,000 fine
A record-book quality whitetail buck poached in Adams County last fall resulted in a $23,572.05 restitution charge for a Scioto County man. The Division of Wildlife announced Tuesday that this is the largest restitution charge ever imposed on a trophy class whitetail in Ohio.
Johny B. Clay, 37, of Minford, pleaded guilty to four wildlife violations which included taking a deer during closed season, hunting without permission, hunting without a license and hunting without a deer permit.
West Union Judge Roy E. Gabbert Jr. presided over the case in a Scioto County court room. In addition to the restitution charges, Clay was ordered to pay $1,500 in fines and $134 in court cost and will lose his hunting privileges for life. According to the Division of Wildlife, Clay had 10 previous wildlife convictions for deer violations and has spent time in jail for some of the offenses.