03/13/2026
Three people are facing charges for illegally transporting wildlife across West Virginia state lines for Preston County hunting reserve, according to the U.S. Attorney.
Brian Poling, 51, of Albright, Levi Weaver, 74, of Fredericksburg, Ohio and Leroy Miller, 40, of Millersburg, Ohio, have federal indictment charges for violating the Lacey Act.
Poling, the manager of Dream Mountain Ranch in Preston County, conspired with Miller and Weaver to illegally transport live deer without health certificates, according to the charges in the indictment.
“West Virginians have long depended on a healthy and diverse wildlife population to feed our families, make memories, and enjoy our great outdoors,” said U.S. Attorney Harvey. “It is our shared heritage and will be protected.”
Under U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations, anyone who transports live deer across state lines is required to ensure that the animals are accompanied by an Interstate Certificate of Veterinarian Inspection and proof of tuberculosis test.
Officials say the regulations are aimed at curbing the spread of deadly diseases that can infect deer and other animals, such as elk and moose. Additional information is available here.
“The illegal transport of live deer poses a serious threat to people, wildlife, and the economy. Deer can carry deadly zoonotic diseases that may be spread to humans, livestock, and other animals. Without proper safeguards, outbreaks can occur that disrupt hunting traditions and jeopardize farm livelihoods,” said Doug Ault, Assistant Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement.
Poling, Weaver, and Miller each face up to 5 years in federal prison.