13 Out Of State Fishermen Found Guilty In Ohio Walleye Case

FINDLAY, OH – The cases against seven Iowa residents, five Illinois residents, and one Missouri resident came to a close April 18, 2011. A total of 22 walleye related charges were filed in the Ottawa Municipal Court. The offenders all plead guilty and were found guilty by Court Magistrate Lou Wargo. The total fines, court costs, and restitutions were $4900.

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, on April 6, 2011, Wildlife Officers and Investigators worked a surveillance project focusing on walleye fishing violations being committed underneath the Sandusky Bay railroad bridge and the Rt. 2 Bridge. As a result of this project Wildlife Officers seized a total of twenty nine walleye and two illegal fishing lures. Charges filed were 9 snagging violations, 9 over limit of walleye violations, 2 multiple hook violations, and 2 aiding wildlife offender violations. The men received a total of 16 years of fishing license revocations.

Robert Layer, 45, of Rock Island, Illinois was found guilty for using multiple hooks and overbag of walleye and was fined $300 with $100 suspended, plus court costs and restitution. He was sentenced to 20 days in jail with 20 days suspended. His fishing rights were revoked for 1 year.

Ronald K. Ernat, 77, of Unionville, Missouri was found guilty of aiding and was fined $150 plus court costs. His fishing rights were revoked for 1 year.

Kenneth Shoultz, 64, of Muscatine, Iowa was found guilty of snagging and was fined $150 with $100 suspended plus court costs and restitution. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail with 10 days suspended. His fishing rights were revoked for 1 year.

Michael Diericx, 47, of Le Claire, Iowa was found guilty for snagging and overbag of walleye and was fined $150 plus court costs and restitution. He was sentenced to 20 days in jail with 20 days suspended. His fishing rights were revoked for 1 year.

Mark S. Ernat, 50, of Rock Island, Illinois was found guilty for overbag of walleye and aiding and was fined $300 plus court costs and restitution.

He was sentenced to 20 days in jail with 20 days suspended. His fishing rights were revoked for 1 year.

Curtis M. Ernat, 42, of Milan, Illinois was found guilty of using multiple hooks and was fined $150 with $100 suspended plus court costs. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail with 10 days suspended. His fishing rights were revoked for 1 year.

Troy G. Randall, 56, of Andalusia, Iowa was found guilty of two counts of snagging and overbag of walleye and was fined $550 with $100 suspended plus court costs and restitution. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail with 30 days suspended. His fishing rights were revoked for 2 years.

Larry Samuelson, 67, of Milan, Illinois was found guilty of two counts of snagging and two counts of overbag of walleye and was fined $800 with $200 suspended plus court costs and restitution. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail with 60 days suspended. His fishing rights were revoked for 2 years.

Steven Brebner, 57, of Muscatine, Iowa was found guilty of overbag of walleye and was fined $150 plus court costs and restitution. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail with 10 days suspended. His fishing rights were revoked for 1 year.

Robert Nelson, 59, of Muscatine, Iowa was found guilty of snagging and was fined $150 plus court costs and restitution. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail with 10 days suspended. His fishing rights were revoked for 1 year.

David Christensen, 54, of Mason City, Iowa was found guilty of overbag of walleye and was fined $150 plus court costs and restitution. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail with 10 days suspended. His fishing rights were revoked for 1 year.

Daniel Einfeldt, 69, of Rock Island, Illinois was found guilty of snagging and was fined $250 plus court costs and restitution. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail with 25 days suspended. His fishing license was revoked for 3 years.

Timothy J. Pyatt, 47, Mason City, Iowa was found guilty of overbag of walleye and forfeited a $90 bond plus court costs.

The Division of Wildlife was made aware of the activity through a tip. Anyone with knowledge of a wildlife violation is encouraged to call the TIP hotline at 1-800-POACHER. The caller can remain anonymous and all calls are confidential.

Contact:
Paul Kurfis, Law Enforcement Supervisor, Wildlife District Two
ODNR, Division of Wildlife
(419) 424-5000