Round 'Em up Boys

For Immediate Release December 17,
2004

Game Wardens Arrest 7, charge sixteen others

SIDNEY, MAINE -- In one of the Warden Service's largest enforcement
actions
ever, game wardens arrested seven people and charged 14 others
lastafter
serving search warrants at 19 locations in central Maine at 6:00
tonight.

A total of 20 people were charged last night with numerous wildlife
crimes
ranging from killing multiple deer, night hunting, killing wildlife in
closed seasons, hunting on posted land, shooting from a motor vehicle
and
driving deer towards shooters in large organized groups. As the
investigation continues, more charges will follow.

"This group possessed a blatant disregard for the laws that are
designed to
protects Maine's wildlife for everyone," said Major Gregg Sanborn,
"They
killed multiple deer, they killed at night, out of season, and fired
out of
their trucks. They killed whatever and whenever they felt like it."

Arrested were Peter Tukey, 52, of Belgrade; Albert (Joey) Languet, 31
of
Belgrade; Vernon Dexter, 57, of Gardiner; Patrick Dexter, 32, of
Belgrade;
Glenn Glidden, 43, of Rome; Andrew Seamon, 38 of Augusta; and Paul
Stevens,
37 of Belgrade.

"This group boasted about killing more than 50 deer this past season in
the
Belgrade area, which is near the amount that was legally registered in
Belgrade," said District Game Warden Dan Murray whose patrol covers the
Belgrade area.

"It's illegal activity like this that takes away hunting opportunities
for
those who follow the law. It even takes pleasure away from those who
like to
watch deer walk through their backyard," said Major Gregg Sanborn, "As
an
example, I took my son out every Saturday this hunting season and he
never
had an opportunity to shoot a deer. Perhaps if this group followed the
law
there would have been opportunities for hunters like my son and other
hunters who abide by the law."

Evidence that was seized after serving the warrants include deer meat,
deer
antlers, deer parts, moose meat, wild turkey meat, wild turkey parts
(beards
and feathers), firearms, bone saws, and archery equipment.

"This group would kill multiple deer, and at times have three deer
hanging
in a shed or garage, waiting to be cut up and distributed among the
group,"
said Sanborn. Deer meat would be passed around to fellow poachers and
family
members.

Over 80 people were involved in the operation, including 65 game
wardens,
six sheriffs, two state troopers and support staff.