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Maryland Natural Resources Police Blotter
Garrett County – On April 11, 2009, the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged Stephen Claude Deshong Jr., of Barton Maryland with driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcoholic beverage and driving while impaired as a result of investigating an unauthorized vehicle at Poplar Lick campsite. Also, Katie Marie Broadwater, Midland, Maryland was charged with Possession of Alcohol by a person under 21years of age.
Somerset County – The Maryland Natural Resources Police charged the following individuals with possession of striped bass during closed season during the months of March and April 2009:Willie James Schoolfield, Princess Anne, Maryland
James William Perry, Salisbury, Maryland
Fermin Munoz Hernandez, Marion, Maryland
Alfonso Munoz Hernandez, Marion, Maryland
James Edward Holland, Laurel, MarylandThe maximum penalty for possessing a striped bass during closed season is a $500 fine.
Anglers are reminded that Spring Trophy Striped Bass season begins April 18, 2009 and runs through May 15, 2009. The minimum possession size for striped bass during this time period is 28 inches. The fishing area is restricted to the main stem of the Chesapeake Bay from Brewerton Channel to the Maryland/Virginia line, Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds. During this time frame, persons may not possess striped bass taken from the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. A person may not possess striped bass between 12:00 midnight and 5:00 am. All tidal fishing regulations can be found at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/regulations/regindex.html.
Worcester County - On Monday, April 6, 2009, Daniel P. Lekites, 20 of Berlin Maryland pled guilty in Worcester County District Court to both Natural Resources and Criminal Charges. The charges were filed by the Maryland Natural Resources Police in December 2008.
The incident started when NRP received information of illegal deer poaching in the Northern Worcester County area. A subsequent investigation led NRP officers to charged Lekites with eleven charges including Hunting Deer during closed season and making a false entry into public records, namely the Maryland Harvest Check-In System.
Through a plea agreement worked out with the Worcester County States Attorney's Office, Lekites pled Guilty to Hunting Deer during a closed season and Making a false entry into public records. The remaining charges were dropped.
Upon sentencing Lekites was offered Probation before Judgment (PBJ) on the criminal charge and ordered to pay a $500 fine plus court costs for Hunting Deer during closed season. A further condition of his PBJ was 18 months of supervised probation and forfeiture of his Hunting License for a period of three years.
April 17, 2009 Contact: Sgt. Art Windemuth
410-260-8003 office
awindemuth@dnr.state.md.usThe Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is the enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With an authorized strength of 280 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the NRP provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include homeland security, search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov