A poacher illegally harvested a trophy white-tailed deer buck on private property he falsely claimed belonged to his sister, resulting in the largest restitution value for a single white-tailed deer in Ohio history.
Christopher J. Alexander, 28, pleaded guilty to 14 counts related to the incident and was sentenced Thursday to pay the maximum restitution for the 18-point trophy buck amounting to $35,071.73, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. The illegal take was in November 2023.
Restitution increased to $39,696.73 when $4,625 was added for a second unlawfully taken buck during the 2023 hunting season.
In addition, Alexander, of Wilmington, must pay $1,000 in fines, $1,000 to the Turn In a Poacher program, $2,000 in restitution to media outlets, and all court costs.
Alexander was also sentenced to complete five years of community control (probation) and serve six months at STAR Community Justice Center, a locked-down community-based correctional facility.
His hunting license was revoked for 10 years and he forfeited all the property seized as evidence, including the antlers.
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One accomplice was Alexander’s sister, Kristina M. Alexander, who wrote a false letter of permission to hunt on her property that Alexander presented to wildlife officers after the deer was killed to mislead them, as reported by WHIO.
Kristina, 37, of Blanchester was charged for obstructing official business and aiding a wildlife offender. She was ordered to pay $500 in fines, $500 to the TIP program and court costs, and to serve 60 days in jail, suspended, and complete one year of monitored time supervision.
Other accomplices and sentences, as stated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources:
“Corey P. Haunert, 29, of Hillsboro, was charged for attempted tampering with evidence, aiding a wildlife offender in taking or possessing deer (three counts), hunting without permission, and falsification. He was ordered to pay $500 in fines; pay $500 to the TIP program; pay additional court costs; serve 90 days in jail, suspended; complete 200 hours of community service; and complete three years of community control. In addition, his hunting license was revoked for three years and he forfeited a tree stand and crossbow.
“Zachary R. Haunert, 31, of Lebanon, was charged for aiding a wildlife offender. He was ordered to pay $250 in fines; pay $250 to the TIP program; pay additional court costs; serve 60 days in jail, suspended; and complete one year of monitored time supervision.”
Among the counts Alexander pleaded guilty to were illegal taking or possession of deer (two), hunting without a license, hunting without a deer permit, selling illegally taken or possessed deer antlers, spotlighting, hunting without permission (four), tampering with evidence, theft, misdemeanor theft, and falsification.
Photo courtesy of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
