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PRESQUE ISLE, Maine -- Six men from New Jersey have pleaded guilty to a variety of fish and wildlife crimes. Members of the group will be paying thousands of dollars in fines, and is some instances, spending time in jail.
"This was an illegal guiding ring, based out of New Jersey. There were two pieces of property on Big Machias Lake, and they would bring people up from New Jersey and charge them as if they were guides registered in the state," said Game Warden Sergeant Terry Hunter of Ashland.
The case started in 1995 when local guides and residents complained to Hunter about illegal guiding and hunting activities from two camps in T12 R8 on Big Machias Lake. The camps belong to Walt Gregory, 57, of Mt. Holly, N.J., and Charles Goodman, 47, of Palmyra, N.J.
"They were guiding paying customers. Some of their clients had been coming up for years, and they were also attracting new business," said Hunter.
During the investigation it was learned that there was illegal hunting and guiding activities not only in Maine, but in New Jersey as well. Working with law enforcement officials from New Jersery, search warrants were served at the Gregory residence and the Charlie Gray residence, both in Mt. Holly, N.J. New Jersey law enforcement officials, who were assisted by Maine Game Wardens, served the warrants. Moose antlers, deer meat, several deer heads, deer antlers, martens, flying squirrels, cooper^s hawks, and traps were seized at the residences.
The following is a list of charges that have been plead to and paid in Maine. The last court case was finalized in Presque Isle District Court on April 26.
Mr. Walt Gregory of Mt. Holly, N.J., D.O.B. 03-13-43
1. Two counts of guiding without a license -- $2000.00 fine and 6 days of jail
2. Trapping without a license -- $500.00 fine
3. Failure to register a deer -- $500.00 fine
4. Restitution of $1000.00 to Maine Warden Service
Mr. Charles W. Goodman of Palmyra, N.J., D.O.B. 12-28-53
1. Two counts of guiding without a license -- $2,000.00 and 6 days jail
2. Failure to register deer -- $500.00 fine
3. Restitution of $400.00 to Maine Warden Service
Mr. Charles Fuller of Moorestown N.J., D.O.B. 2-28-56
1. One count of night hunting -- $1000.00 fine and three days in jail
2. Use of Illegal Implement in Nighttime -- $300.00 fine
3. Hunting Under the Influence -- $400.00 fine
4. Loaded gun in a Motor vehicle -- $100.00 fine
Richard Bolduc III of Mt. Holly N.J., D.O.B. 06-04-70
1. False registration of deer -- $100.00 fine
2. Loaded gun in a motor vehicle -- $100.00 fine
3. Two counts of twilight hunting -- $ 100.00 fine for each count
Mark Gregory of Mt. Holly N.J., D.O.B. 03-14-73
1. Loaded gun in a motor vehicle -- $100.00 fine
2. Three counts of twilight hunting --$100.00 dollar fine for each count
Martin L. Ellis of Medford N.J., D.O.B. 04-16-47
1. Fishing without a license -- $68.00 fine
The following cases are still pending in New Jersey:
Walt Gregory of Mt. Holly, N.J.
1. 42 counts of illegal possession of deer
Charlie Gray of Mt. Holly N.J., D.O.B. 02-26-30
1. Two counts of illegal possession of deer
2. Nine counts of illegal possession of endangered Cooper^s Hawk
3. Five counts of possession non-game species
4. Eleven counts of taking of non-game species
5. One charge of illegal leg hold trap set above ground
6. Five counts of illegal possession of leg hold traps
Uploaded: 5/12/2000
Uploaded: 5/12/2000