33-year-old Anthony Coleman, from Corvallis, pleaded guilty in the Benton County Circuit Court to two counts of Taking, Angling, Hunting, or Trapping in Violation in Wildlife Law or Rule and Possession of Prohibited Firearm as Class A Misdemeanors.
The charges stemmed from an investigation which resulted in the service of several search warrants by the Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division Mid-Valley Team last year.
The investigation began when an anonymous person advised Troopers of Coleman killing two bull elk on the same day. The search warrants served led to multiple other charges to include a buck deer that was killed out of season and a short-barreled rifle found in possession of Coleman.
Coleman's plea was part of a plea agreement offered by the Benton County DA’s Office. Multiple charges relating to the unlawful taking of big game animals were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
He was sentenced to:
- Hunting privileges suspended for a period of 8 years
- 36 months bench probation to include no participation in hunting, trapping, or shed hunting activities
- $20,400 in fines, fees, and restitution
- 30 days of work crew
- Forfeiture of all seized rifles, bows and animal parts
- 10 days in jail