DEP CONSERVATION OFFICERS CHARGE NEW JERSEY MAN
WITH SELLING WILDLIFE PARTS
(07/07) TRENTON - Undercover wildlife-conservation lawmen
bagged an Atlantic County man on charges of peddling more than 200
white-tailed deer antlers including several trophy-class sets, Department
of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson announced
today.
Folsom Borough resident Melvin Kemmerer, 63, who stood to pocket
about $1,000 for the antler collection, now faces three to five
years in prison and up to $200,000 in fines for the illegal sale,
transfer and possession of wildlife parts.
"There should be no doubt that we are serious about stopping
crime against New Jersey's wildlife," Commissioner Jackson
said. "Our Conservation Officers are out on the beat, and the
public is helping us catch those who have no regard for our wildlife
resources and the laws that protect them."
Kemmerer's arrest culminated a two-month investigation by Conservation
Officers with the DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife and agents
from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Acting on a tip that Kemmerer
was soliciting buyers for his antlers, a law enforcement officer
contacted the suspect by telephone and arranged to purchase the
deer parts. Lawmen allege Kemmerer agreed to sell the antlers for
$10 a pound.
Immediately after Kemmerer exchanged the 100 pounds of antlers
for cash, DEP Conservation Officers and federal agents took him
into custody without incident at his home. Kemmerer has two previous
convictions for violating New Jersey's wildlife laws, stemming from
deer-hunting incidents in 1987 and 1997.
Residents concerned about wildlife crime can help DEP's Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Officers apprehend violators by participating
in Operation Game Thief. Information on the commercial exploitation
of New Jersey's wildlife resources, pollution of wildlife habitat,
poaching, illegal trapping, negligent use of firearms and other
violations can be offered anonymously to the DEP's Division of Fish
and Wildlife by calling Operation Game Thief's toll-free number
(800) 222-0456.
For more information on Operation Game Thief the program, visit
www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/ogt.htm
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