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Entries Tagged as 'crime'

DEC Seeks Information Regarding the Killing of a Bald Eagle

January 27th, 2012 · No Comments · Adirondack News

NYSDEC LogoThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is seeking help from the public to identify the person responsible for killing a female Bald Eagle earlier this week, on the Oswegatchie River near the Village of Heuvelton in St Lawrence County. The eagle had been observed feeding on a deer carcass on the far side of the Oswegatchie River along the River Road in the Town of Oswegatchie as recently as Tuesday afternoon. Wednesday evening the eagle was lying dead on the ice near open water.

An Environmental Conservation Officer was able to retrieve the eagle and upon initial evaluation it appears to have been shot by someone located on the River Road side of the Oswegatchie River. The eagle will be examined by the DEC pathology unit to determine the cause of death.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Environmental Conservation Police at (315) 785-2231 or toll free at 1-800-TIPP-DEC (1-800-847-7332). Information may also be submitted by e-mail to r6dsptch@gw.dec.state.ny.us . All information will be kept confidential.

It is illegal for anyone to kill or injure a Bald Eagle in New York state. Anyone convicted of killing a Bald Eagle may be subject to a penalty of up to $5,000 and/or 90 days in jail. A person or persons providing information leading to the conviction of the shooter is/are entitled to half of the fine paid in court, up to $2,500.

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DEC Region 5 End of Big Game Season Enforcement Report

January 13th, 2012 · No Comments · Adirondack News

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Region 5 Environmental Conservation Police were busy enforcing against poaching activities during the recently ended big game season.

NYSDEC LogoOn November 29, 2011, an Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) was interviewing a witness as part of investigating a possible hunter trespass complaint in the Town of Benson, Hamilton County. The witness reported confronting three men allegedly on property without the owner’s permission and attempting to retrieve a female bear that they had previously shot in its den. After observing the dead bear in the den, the ECO followed human tracks to a camp on an adjacent property. Finding nobody present the ECO staked out the camp and when two of the men returned observed them attempting to clean alleged bait pile and salt licks. After interviewing the two men the ECO instructed them to retrieve the dead bear and to have all three men meet with him at the camp the next day. On November 30, 2011, the ECO seized the bear and issued multiple tickets to each of the men returnable to the Town of Benson Court as follows:

  • Benjamin I. Van Nostrand, 38, of Northville was charged with aiding in the illegal taking of a bear, a misdemeanor, and trespassing while hunting and unlawful feeding of deer, both violations. He faces maximum possible penalties of $2500 in fines and up to 1 year in jail.
  • Daniel J. Van Nostrand, 40, of Edinburg, was charged with the illegal killing of a bear, a misdemeanor, and two violations – hunting with the aid of bait, trespassing, failing to tag a bear as required. He faces maximum possible penalties of $2750 in fines and up to 1 year in jail.
  • George J. Van Nostrand, 36, of Northville, was charged with trespassing on posted property, a violation. He faces maximum possible penalties of $250 in fines and up to 15 days in jail.

On Tuesday, January 10, 2012, two DEC ECOs investigated a complaint of antlered deer shot near Lindsday’s Orchard’s in the Town of Clifton Park, Saratoga County. The deer was reportedly shot under the apple orchard’s nuisance deer permit, which allow only for the taking of antlerless deer. The ECOs reviewed the permit and associated paperwork and interviewed the orchard’s caretaker and another worker. Upon concluding the investigation, Duane R Lindsey, 59, of Rexford was charged with taking big game out of season, taking deer with the aid of an artificial light – both misdemeanors, and violating the terms and conditions of a deer nuisance permit, a violation. He was issued an appearance ticket for the Town of Clifton Park Court and faces maximum possible penalties of $4250 in fines and up to 2 years and 15 days in jail. In additions the deer’s antlers were seized as evidence, the remaining nuisance permits were confiscated, and the permit was terminated.

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DEC Seeks Assistance in Oil Dumping Investigation in Jefferson County

July 28th, 2011 · No Comments · News

Oil From Transformers Dumped to Access Copper

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is seeking information from the public throughout the north country and central New York relating to the draining of up to 4,000 gallons of transformer oil and the theft of copper from transformers at the former Deferiet Paper Mill located in the Village of Deferiet, Jefferson County.

4-inch diameter Copper Conduit CableCopper Buss BarDEC is investigating the deliberate dumping of the “non-PCB” transformer oil which was done to facilitate the theft of copper. In addition to copper wire, three inch-wide solid copper “Buss Bar” in various lengths, and four inch-diameter conduit which contained three one-half-inch twisted strands of copper wire were stolen. The oil release is believed to have occurred between June 16 and 29, 2011.

Brookfield Renewable Power owns the two transformers that were damaged. After discovering the release, Brookfield notified DEC. Cleanup efforts and an investigation began June 30, including efforts to keep the oil out of the Black River.

The investigation is being conducted jointly by the New York State Conservation Police and State Police.

Anyone with information regarding this theft and spill is urged to contact DEC Division of Law Enforcement on its tip hotline at 1-800-TIPP DEC (1-800-847-7332). Information pertaining to the sale of the large copper “Buss Bar” and copper wire would be extremely helpful. Brookfield Renewable Power has offered a $1,000 dollar reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved in this crime. Callers may remain anonymous.

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DEC ECO Arrests Bass Poacher with Help from Concerned Sportsman

May 26th, 2011 · No Comments · Adirondack News

NYSDEC LogoOn May 24, 2011, a DEC Environmental Conservation Officer CO was dispatched to a complaint from a concerned sportsman regarding a man fishing for black bass out of season.

The unnamed sportsman reported that he had observed a man fishing in Harris Bay of Lake George in the Town of Lake George and keeping the bass he caught. He confronted the man explaining that it was illegal to keep bass caught at this time of year and suggesting that he release the fish. The sportsman further stated that the man dumped the fish back into the lake and hurriedly left the area leaving his fishing rod and tackle box, 

After viewing the photographs and taking the fishing gear, the ECO patrolled the area streets anticipating the fisherman would return for his gear. The ECO spotted the vehicle a short time later on Main Street in the Village of Lake George and stopped it.  

When confronted with the evidence including the photographs, the fisherman, David Chan, 68, from Whitestone, NY, admitted to the violations. He was charged with fishing without a license and taking black bass out of season. Chan was immediately arraigned before the Town of Lake George Court where he pled guilty to both charges and paid a fine of $225. 

Black Bass (largemouth bass and smallmouth bass) are exceptionally vulnerable this time of the year. The fish are guarding their spawning beds and are very protective, striking at almost anything. Black Bass may only be taken from the third Saturday in June and to November 30. The rest of the year they can be caught but must be immediately released back into the water, except in waters in Franklin and Hamilton County where it is illegal to fish for black bass from December 1 to the Friday before the third Saturday in June. 

The sportsman who observed the illegal activity did an excellent job of documenting and reporting the violations. He not only prevented more fish from being taken and he also prevented the violator from getting away. DEC does not encourage the public to confront people breaking the law. DEC does encourage people to report violations of environmental conservation laws and regulations to 24-hour TIPP (Turn In Polluters and Poachers) Hotline at 1-800-TIPP DEC (1-800-847-7332) or by e-mail to R5dsptch@gw.dec.state.ny.us  

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Adirondack’s Wildest Police Video

April 12th, 2011 · No Comments · Adirondack Life

I will neither confirm or deny any support or opposition to ATVs. Too “risky”.

(via Adirondack Almanack)

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DEC Arrests 5 for Illegal Fishing

April 5th, 2011 · No Comments · Adirondack News

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION OFFICERS ARREST MEN FOR ILLEGAL TAKE OF WALLEYE

NYSDEC LogoOn April 4, 2011 at 9:00 p.m. Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) in St. Lawrence County charged five men in connection with unlawful taking of walleye in the Town of Rossie, St. Lawrence County. The men were seen taking walleye off of spawning beds in the Indian River, one of the prime breeding grounds for walleye from Black Lake.

According to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Captain Stephen Pierson out of the Watertown, Region 6 office, the men arrested Monday evening included:

  • Jacob R Shampine (age 19) of Antwerp
  • Thomas Morro (age 17) of Gouverneur
  • Jesse Paul Spellicy (age 17) of Gouverneur
  • Cody L Fuller (age 19) of Gouverneur
  • Ethan C Constance (age 20) of Gouverneur

Each person was charged with one count of disturbing walleye on the spawning beds and one count of taking walleye during the closed season. Mr. Shampine was additionally charged with fishing without a license.

In the early spring walleye leave the lakes and swim upstream to spawn on rocky riverbeds, usually in areas of heavy current. Thousands of walleye converge in short stretches of narrow streams and rivers to spawn, making them vulnerable and a tempting target for poachers.

The DEC has increased its patrols in popular spawning areas in an attempt to combat this abuse of the state’s natural resources. This illegal activity not only takes the fish when they are most vulnerable, but can have serious implications on future fish levels and reduce opportunities for lawful anglers. DEC also urges anyone who witnesses a violation of the laws and regulations protecting New York’s natural resources to contact their 24 Hour Dispatch toll free at either 1-877-457-5680 or 1-800-TIPP-DEC or report an environmental violation online at the DEC website.

The men are scheduled to answer the charges in the Town of Rossie Court on April 20, 2011 and face fines of up to $250.00 and up to 15 days in jail for each offense. The 17 walleye caught were able to be released alive back into the river.

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Leroy Douglas (Douglas Corp) Linkdump

January 4th, 2011 · 2 Comments · News

LeRoy Douglas (Douglas Corp) was just indicted and arraigned for environmental crimes. So many stories and angles, most missing details.

Map of Douglas Resort

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