Outfitter Pleads Guilty to Making False Accusations Against State Wildlife Office
OutdoorHub 07.07.11
COLUMBUS, OH – Logan County resident and owner of True Trophy Outfitters of Ohio, Aaron L. Shields, recently pleaded guilty on three state wildlife violations and one charge of falsification in the Bellefontaine Municipal Court, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
Shields, 40, was convicted of falsification, a misdemeanor in the first degree, and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and serve 60 days in jail. The conviction stems from false claims of wrongdoing that Shields made against State Wildlife Officer Curtis Smith in May of 2010. Judge John L. Ross suspended 55 days of Shields’ jail sentence and placed him on probation for two years. Shields will not be able to possess a firearm, dangerous ordinance or weapon as conditions of his probation. Other conditions of his probation stipulate that he must be a law abiding citizen and may not have any criminal or wildlife convictions for two years.
“Retribution against our officers for enforcing state regulations intended to protect Ohio’s wildlife resources will not be tolerated,” said Division of Wildlife Law Enforcement Supervisor Leighland Arehart.
Shields, of Bellefontaine, was also convicted of one count of carrying a hunting implement (a bow) while accompanying a youth during the deer gun season as well as two counts of failure to keep accurate written records as a deer propagator; he was ordered to pay an additional $750.00 in fines.
Shields’ hunting license was suspended for two years. His name also will be entered into the Wildlife Violator’s Compact, which most likely will result in his loss of hunting rights in 35 other states.
Contact:
Wildlife District One, Law Enforcement
614.644.3925
