Developer of The Villages Pleads Guilty to Hunting Violations in Montana

The president and top executive of The Villages is scheduled to appear in a Montana court Tuesday to plead guilty to misdemeanor hunting violations in Big Horn County as part of a plea agreement to end felony criminal charges.

The man was one of eight people charged last year for alleged illegal hunting activities on ranches in Yellowstone and Big Horn counties. The charges date back from 2006, stemming from a year-long police investigation.

If convicted, the man could have faced more than 10 years in prison and more than $100,000 fines.

The Big Horn plea agreement dismisses two felony counts of unlawful possession of a game animal in exchange for the man’s admission to the misdemeanor charge. He apparently agreed to pay a $1,500 fine and $1,500 in restitution for three mule deer bucks prosecutors claim he illegally retained in 2008.

The Assistant Attorney General also agreed to resolve another felony case against the man in Yellowstone County.

He will apparently plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of hunting without a license in exchange for the dismissal of two felony hunting violations and a second misdemeanor. He apparently arranged to pay a $1,000 fine and restitution of $1,000 for an elk he allegedly possessed in 2007.

The man will not lose hunting or fishing privileges due to the convictions.

In Florida, there are vast arrays of laws set in place at the local, state and federal levels to protect wildlife. With so many laws covering various actions and geographic locations, it is not uncommon for people to commit a violation without even knowing they may have done so. While most fishing, hunting and boating offenses erupt in civil citations or misdemeanors, they often carry heavy fines and suspensions of licenses and privileges, something that may be devastating to a Florida outdoor enthusiast. Furthermore, any individual with numerous violations is at risk for incarceration.

The Villages Fishing & Wildlife Violations Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton understand the various types of wildlife offenses and will fight these charges by implementing a powerful defense to attack the prosecution’s case against you. We stand ready to handle any wildlife offense, including:

• Poaching Allegations
• Harvesting Coral or Damaging Reefs
• Possession of Undersized or Oversized Fish
• Harassing or Killing a Protected Animal
• Hunting or Fishing without a License
• Hunting or Fishing Out of Season or in a Prohibited Area
• Boating Violations such as Speeding and Boating Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs (BUI)

No matter what boating, fishing or hunting violation you have been accused of, our attorneys stand ready to help. At Whittel & Melton we can walk you through the proper steps towards combatting the accusations stacked against you as well as explain the potential outcomes.

If you or someone you care about has been accused of a fish and game violation in Marion, Lake or Sumter County, contact The Villages Fishing & Wildlife Violations Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton online or call 352-369-5334.