Details released in Cambria County poaching probe
Investigation results in 35 charges between eight individuals
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The Pennsylvania Game Commission's Southwest Region recently announced on its Facebook page details related to a lengthy investigation involving the illegal taking of 11 white-tailed deer and one gray fox, which occurred in Cambria County between 2023-24, resulting in 35 charges between eight individuals, who all lost their hunting privileges for at least four years.
The investigation began in March 2024, when a game warden conducted a license check on one of the defendants while they were fishing in Indiana County. The warden asked about firearms and ammunition found in the vehicle, and the defendant admitted to shooting deer at night using a spotlight.
During a lengthy investigation, three separate search warrants were served, and it was determined that between the eight individuals, they were charged for poaching by shooting white-tailed deer at night using spotlights, failure to tag deer, taking bucks that didn't meet antler restrictions, using tags from other states on the deer and exceeding the legal limit.
The defendants plead to summary violations all regarding the unlawful taking of game or wildlife or unlawful taking of big game during a closed season:
– Jason Wise, 47, of Marsteller, pleaded guilty to seven summary counts and was fined $6,327. His license has been revoked for 10 years.
– Sandra Wise, 54, of Marsteller, pleaded to two summary counts, was fined $1,202 and had her license revoked for four years.
– Daniel Wise, 39, of Marsteller, pleaded to two summary counts, was fined $2,142 and had his license revoked for six years.
– Issac Keith, 23, of Penn Run, pleaded to four summary counts, was fined $4,222 and had his license revoked for 10 years.
– Dan Sodmont, 28, of Marsteller, pleaded to six summary counts, was fined $6,303 and had his license revoked for 10 years.
– Marina Morgan, 27, of Northern Cambria, pleaded to six summary counts, was fined $6,303 and had her license revoked for 10 years.
– Dennis Corson, 47, of Northern Cambria, pleaded to four summary counts, was fined $4,222 and had his license revoked for 10 years.
– Levi Corson, 21, of Northern Cambria, pleaded guilty to four summary counts, was fined $4,222 and had his license revoked for 10 years.
In total, the defendants were ordered to pay $35,047 and lost their hunting and trapping privileges for a combined 70 years.
To report wildlife crimes, call the Operation Game Thief's toll-free hotline at 1-888-PGC-8001 or report it online at https://bit.ly/3Pgwwhf.