Man, 73, Gets Probation For Md. Ginseng Violation

OAKLAND, Md. (AP) -- A West Virginia man is serving a year's probation for hunting ginseng out of season on an ill-fated trip to a western Maryland state forest.

Seventy-three-year-old James Alt of Piedmont, W.Va., pleaded guilty Wednesday in Oakland County District Court. In return, prosecutors dropped a charge of collecting ginseng without a permit.

Alt was charged in June after he got lost overnight in the Savage River State Forest during an outing with two companions.

Dozens of people were involved in the search.

Gary Lee Farris of Westernport and John Mayhew of Piedmont, W.Va., were found guilty of four offenses and fined $500 each after a trial in September. Each was also ordered to make restitution of
$500 to the Natural Resources Police.