Deer Poaching Suspect Gets 50-Year Hunting License Suspension
GREENSBURG (KDKA) -- Alleged members of a poaching ring, who the state Game Commission says is responsible for illegally harvesting nearly a dozen deer in the area, were in court Wednesday.
Charles Harr, Jr. walked into the Westmoreland County Courthouse facing serious game law violations, and by the time he walked out, he was facing a lengthy suspension of his hunting license.
Harr Jr., 19, of Derry Township, smirked at KDKA's cameras as he headed into his hearing.
He was caught allegedly hunting whitetail deer at night using a spotlight. At least 11 illegal kills were attributed to Harr in what game officials call a poaching ring.
"He actually indicated he had some help that day," said Game Commission Officer Brian Singer. "There was two other individuals apprehended later that evening in possession of more deer that had been killed unlawful that night."
The others cited, 18-year-old Scott Daniels and Charles Harr, Sr., Charles Jr.'s father.
"The father we believed was in the process of helping his son in dispose of or butcher these deer," Officer Singer said.
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Daniels and the Harrs were ordered to pay fines totaling $16,400 combined.
Harr Jr. agreed to 18 months of probation, as well as what his father and Daniels already signed off on. It's going to be a very long time before Harr Jr. can go hunting again.
Officials say his license has been suspended for 50 years.
The judge also ordered Harr Jr. to surrender the hunting rifle used to illegally to harvest the deer.