CT: Poachers Hoped To Sell Footage

Police: Poachers Hoped To Sell Footage 4 Accused Of Running Illegal Poaching Ring

May 18, 2009

KENT, Conn. -- Four New York residents were arrested over the weekend on charges of running an illegal poaching ring in Connecticut.

Police said the group videotaped themselves while illegally hunting and said they hoped to sell the footage for television.

Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection police said the four were arrested on charges related to illegal wild turkey hunting in Kent.

EnCon police said an investigation over the past year revealed that an organized group of poachers was illegally killing deer and wild turkeys in the northwestern portion of the state.

Police said the poachers were being dropped off in the area to kill the animals and then picked up.

Police stopped a vehicle on Saturday in Kent and then found three suspects in a nearby wooded area.

The suspects confessed to killing numerous deer and turkey in the state in the past year and said they would sometimes use a turkey call to shoot and kill turkey from the car, police said.

A video camera, firearms and hunting equipment was also found in the car, police said. They said the suspects admitted to videotaping themselves hunting and said they were hoping to supply the footage to a cable television hunting show.

Michael Milano, of Bronxiville, N.Y., was charged with negligent hunting, criminal trespass and illegal turnkey hunting. Police said Milano was found to be convicted felon and cannot legally possess a firearm. He was also charged with criminal possession of a firearm.

Anthony Finacchiaro and his wife, Laura Finacchiaro, of Purdys, N.Y., were charged with negligent hunting, criminal trespass and illegal turkey hunting.

Robert Zach, of Brewster, N.Y., was charged with illegal turkey hunting and criminal trespass.

All four suspects were released after posting bond and are due in Bantam Superior Court on June 1.

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