MD: Men Charged with Jacklighting

September 16, 2010

Garrett County Men Charged with Jacklighting

On September 13, 2010 at 12:15 a.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) charged Ben Edward Nicol, age 32 and Joseph Franklin Solomon, age 21 both from Accident, Md with casting rays of artificial light onto fields and woodlands with a weapon in possession (commonly referred to as jacklighting) and possession of deer during closed season.

Nicol was also charged with having a loaded weapon in possession.

NRP was called to investigate nighttime poaching activity in the area of Accident-Friendsville Road in Garrett County. During the course of the investigation, NRP seized one 22 caliber rifle and an illegal whitetail deer. The maximum fine for jacklighting is $2,000 and six months in jail.

The defendant's hunting privilege is suspended for two to five years and all devices used during the incident forfeited to the state. The fine for possessing a deer during closed season is $1,500.

NRP encourages citizens to report violations to the Natural Resources Police Communication Center at 800-628-9944. The catch-a-poacher hotline, 800-635-6124, can be used if a person would like to remain anonymous and become eligible for cash rewards for tips that lead to an arrest and conviction of poaching violations.

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