After he killed what could have been one of many largest whitetail deer of all time final fall, Ohio resident Christopher “CJ” Alexander has been indicted on 23 costs because of an Ohio DNR investigation, the company confirmed with Out of doors Life.
The information is the newest installment within the CJ Alexander saga, which started in November when Alexander killed the enormous deer, then gave interviews with looking publications, together with OL, about how he allegedly took the 18-point buck whereas looking with a crossbow on his sister’s 30-acre property in Ohio. This model of the story was thrown into query in December when the Ohio DNR seized the buck and opened a poaching investigation.
“Wildlife officers found by way of warranted searches of cellphone information that Christopher Alexander had illegally hunted the trophy buck on non-public property about 10 miles from his sister’s land, and later discovered that the written permission from his sister he had offered to wildlife officers had been falsified — after the deer was killed — to mislead authorities,” reads a press launch from the Ohio lawyer common’s workplace, which particulars the indictment that was handed down by a Clinton County grand jury Friday.
“Proof revealed Christopher Alexander staged the deer taking at his sister’s property with the assistance of Corey P. Haunert and his brother, Zachary R. Haunert, to hide the poaching.”
The costs going through Alexander, 28, of Wilmington, are as follows:
- 5 counts every of illegally looking deer with out written permission, and taking possession of a deer in violation of a division rule.
- Three counts of theft by deception.
- Two counts every of looking with out a license, looking with out a legitimate deer allow, and tampering with proof.
- As soon as rely every of jacklighting, theft, falsification, and sale of wildlife components.
Further costs have been filed Friday towards Corey Haunert, Zachary Haunert, and CJ’s sister, Kristina Alexander, confirms Ohio DNR chief of communications Andy Chow.
Corey Haunert, 29, of Hillsboro faces eight costs. These embody: 4 counts of aiding a wildlife offender, two counts of looking with out permission, and one rely every of tampering with proof and falsification. Zachary Haunert, 31, of Lebanon, faces two misdemeanor counts of aiding a wildlife offender. Kristina, 37, of Blanchester, faces one rely of falsification, and one rely of aiding a wildlife offender.
Over the course of the DNR’s five-month investigation, Alexander has repeatedly mentioned that he’s been wrongfully accused, doubling down on his claims that he took the buck legally on his sister’s property. Earlier than it was seized by authorities the buck was scored by the Ohio’s Buckeye Large Buck Membership, which makes use of the Boone and Crockett scoring system, and given a inexperienced rating of 206 7/8 inches typical, together with a gross nontypical rating of 235 7/8. With that preliminary rating, the buck would have the potential to turn into the No. 1 typical whitetail taken within the state of Ohio, and the No. 3 typical whitetail taken in North America.
After investigators seized the buck’s antlers, a crossbow, crossbow bolts, and tree stand, Alexander seems to have been served a summons on Feb. 5, in accordance with a screenshot of the Clinton County municipal court docket’s then-current timeline of authorized proceedings. Alexander posted the picture himself to his Instagram account, together with the next message:
“Asking me to forfeit MY property as a substitute of charging me criminally btw the reply of the defendant was FUCK OFF”
On the time, ODNR declined to touch upon any costs or pending authorized actions towards Alexander, citing its coverage for not discussing all ongoing investigations. Then, on Feb. 6, a discover of look by the lawyer for Alexander was filed, indicating that Alexander had obtained authorized counsel.
Alexander is scheduled to seem in court docket for the primary time later this month. Ohio lawyer common Dave Yost says the case shall be prosecuted by attorneys from the state’s Environmental Enforcement Part. It’s unclear who will symbolize Alexander.
“Blinded by greed, the defendants set their sights on fame and fortune whereas disregarding fundamental looking rules,” Yost mentioned in an announcement Friday. “This once-in-a-lifetime deer embodies the nice pure assets Ohio has to supply. It’s shameful that this deer ended up in an proof room somewhat than adorning an moral hunter’s wall as a prized trophy.”
As beforehand reported, in accordance with Part 1531.201 of the Ohio Revised Code, anybody discovered responsible of illegally taking a deer over 125 inches gross rating shall be ordered to pay a particular restitution payment along with any restitution worth established in division rule. This extra wonderful is calculated utilizing the next components: ((gross rating – 100)² x $1.65). Ought to DNR officers discover the Alexander buck’s broadly reported gross rating of 235 ⅞ inches to be correct, Alexander may obtain an extra wonderful of $30,462.33 if convicted.”
Alexander didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
This article by Hayden Sammak was first printed by Out of doors Life on 10 Might 2024. Lead Picture: CJ Alexander together with his Ohio buck. Picture by Sierra Smith.
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