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| Gilchrist-area Taxidermist, Five Others Charged with Multiple Wildlife Crimes | ||
| 04/26/2006 | ||
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Lieutenant Jeff Williams OSP Fish & Wildlife Division - Central Point Office: (541) 776-6114 ext. 245 An Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish & Wildlife Division investigation into wildlife crimes alleged to have occurred in five separate counties between 2001 and 2005 has resulted in a total of 77 charges, including six felonies and 71 misdemeanors being brought against seven different suspects to date. In addition to the charges, OSP Fish & Wildlife troopers have served two search warrants and seized numerous sets of antlers, over 350 pounds of elk meat, bighorn sheep horns, a walrus skull with ivory tusks, and records. On March 22, 2006, OSP Senior Trooper Darin Bean, and other members of the OSP Fish & Wildlife Division from the Gilchrist and Springfield offices, executed two simultaneous search warrants in Lane and Klamath counties. The search warrants were authorized based upon the ongoing investigation into allegations related to illegal hunting activity, which had occurred on a private ranch in Wheeler County between 2001 and 2005. GLEN THILL, age 48, is a taxidermist near Gilchrist, where one of the search warrants was served on his place of business just south of La Pine. Simultaneously, the second search warrant was served at the Eugene residence of GARY KNIGHT. As a result of the associated searches, numerous sets of illegally obtained antlers, horns, capes and other wildlife, and various parts there-of, including over 350 pounds of elk meat were identified and seized pursuant to the execution of these search warrants. Investigators also seized bighorn sheep horns on the skull, a walrus skull with two ivory tusks still attached, records and photographs. After the lengthy investigation, a total of six suspects were ultimately identified and contacted. OSP Fish & Wildlife troopers identified several suspects through taxidermy records, and believe THILL had knowingly accepted illegally killed wildlife for mounting purposes and created false taxidermy records to make the wildlife appear that it had been legally taken. Investigators believe many of the Buck Deer were killed just for their antlers, and the cape and meat was left to waste. The following suspects have been identified and cited to appear related to the following crimes: KEVIN IRELAN, age 40, from Eugene: Taking Buck Antelope Closed Season (2004) Possession of Illegally Killed Antelope (killed in 2001, still being possessed) Aiding in a Game Violation-Taking Buck Deer Closed Season Unlawful Possession of Deer and Elk Antlers (FOUR COUNTS) Unlawful Sale of Wildlife Parts-Deer and Elk Antlers. GARY KNIGHT, age 51, from Eugene: Taking Buck Deer Closed Season Taking Game Bird Closed Season-Chukar Aiding in A Game Violation-Taking Elk Closed Season (THREE COUNTS) Aiding in a Game Violation-Exceeding the Bag Limit Elk Lending a Big Game Tag Waste of Game Mammal-Buck Deer. MARK THILL, age 44, from Bend: Exceeding the Bag Limit Buck Deer Unlawful Possession of Mule Deer Antlers (SIX COUNTS) Unlawful Possession of Blacktail Buck Deer Possession of Illegally Killed Buck Antelope, Borrowing Buck Deer Tag Fail to Maintain Adequate Taxidermy Records. DUSTY GRASSMAN, age 29, from Christmas Valley: Aiding in a Game Violation-Taking Buck Antelope Closed Season Aiding in a Game Violation-Waste of Antelope. KENNETH GRASSMAN, age 34, from Christmas Valley: Taking Buck Antelope Closed Season, Waste of Antelope Taking Bobcat Closed Season, and Taking Buck Antelope Prohibited Weapon. LARRY GRASSMAN, age 54, from Christmas Valley: Unlawful Possession of Bobcat. GLEN THILL, age 48, from La Pine: Taking Buck Deer Closed Season (FOUR COUNTS) Taking Elk Closed Season (TWO COUNTS) Exceeding the Bag Limit Elk (FIVE COUNTS) Waste of Buck Deer Meat (THREE COUNTS) Borrowing Big Game Tags (SIX COUNTS) Taking Game Birds Closed Season-Chukar (TWO COUNTS) Taking Hen Turkey Closed Season Taking Turkey Prohibited Weapon-Centerfire Rifle Unlawful Purchase Deer Antlers Unlawful Purchase Elk Antlers Unlawful Sale of Elk Antlers Aiding in a Game Violation-(SEVEN COUNTS) Fail to Maintain Adequate Taxidermy Records Unlawful Possession of Big Horn Sheep Horns Unlawful Possession of Protected Mammal-Walrus head with tusks Unlawful Possession of Buck Antelope (TWO COUNTS) Unlawful Possession of Bear Parts Numerous charges of Unlawful Possession of Deer Antlers Investigators have submitted reports regarding GLEN THILL to the Wheeler County District Attorney's Office for consideration of additional charges and prosecution. Photograph link valid 30 days - Source: Oregon State Police http://www.flashnews.net/images/news/gilchrist.taxidermy.3.JPG ### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
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