June 7, 2014

From TribLive.com

A sixth person has been charged in the aftermath of a two-year investigation into illegal hunting, trapping and butchering practices in Westmoreland County.

Keith Stiles faces 177 charges, mostly related to illegally trapping dozens of animals, including muskrats, raccoons, red foxes and coyotes. Stiles does not have a hunting license but allegedly hunted and trapped animals, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. He allegedly sold the pelts while using the license of another man, Randy S. Fink.

Fink was charged this week with 53 hunting-related offenses, many of which stem from allegedly allowing Stiles to use his license.

Stiles’ hunting license was revoked in 2009 for prior offenses. In late 2013, he was charged with 15 counts of illegally taking or possessing game or wildlife. He pleaded guilty to 11 of the charges and was fined more than $1,200. The other four counts were dismissed.

He is charged with six counts of hunting while his privileges were revoked,
67 counts of illegally taking or possessing game or wildlife, 45 counts of illegally selling furs and 56 counts of trapping without a permit.

In addition to Stiles and Fink, four others have been charged.

William M. Rhoades is charged with illegally butchering deer and selling venison and moonshine.

Carol A. Fink and her son, Calvin T. Bish have been charged with hunting out of season and lending their kill tags to Randy Fink.

Brett A. Weimer, a butcher, has been charged with illegally buying and selling game.

More charges are expected to be filed in the case, according to the Game Commission.

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