Local man pleads guilty in ‘high-profile’ poaching case

DAYTON, Ohio ( WDTN ) — A man from Wilmington will soon be sentenced after pleading guilty in a case involving poaching.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife reported Thursday that Christopher Alexander, 28, of Wilmington, pleaded guilty to charges related to the illegal taking of a deer in Clinton County. ODNR says the man pleaded guilty to taking two antlered bucks during the 2023 hunting season.

According to ODNR, Alexander pleaded guilty to the following charges:

• 4 counts of hunting without permission
• 2 counts of illegal taking or possession of deer
• 1 count of selling illegally taken or possessed deer antlers
• 1 count of hunting without a license
• 1 count of hunting without a deer permit
• 1 count of spotlighting
• 1 count of tampering with evidence
• 1 count of theft
• 1 count of misdemeanor theft
• 1 count of falsification

The Wilmington man is facing a maximum of thousands of dollars in fines, community control, a five-year hunting license suspension and restitution for both bucks, according to ODNR.

“The larger buck’s antlers have 18 scorable points, and the final restitution has been calculated at $35,071.73,” said ODNR. “The final restitution for the second buck, with eight scorable points, is $4,625.”

Alexander is expected to be sentenced on Dec. 11.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.