SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Department of Natural Resources Acting Director Sam Flood announced today the results of a two and a half year investigation by Conservation Police officers (CPO’s) to uncover a major poaching operation in Southwest Illinois. Conservation Police ended the latest phase this week resulting in the arrest of 14 individuals for a number of major violations of the Illinois and U.S wildlife codes ranging from felony unlawful possession of game mammals to possession of Illinois threatened species.

“This operation has resulted in removing a major network of illegal hunters from the field,” said Acting Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Sam Flood. “The hard work and dedication of our Conservation Police officers over the past two and a half years has should be commended.”

“Poaching of animals is a serious offense in Illinois and these arrests should serve as notice to anyone who operates above the law that you will be caught and punished,” said Illinois Conservation Police Director Galen Westerfield.

This enforcement effort is the result of a two and a half year undercover operation known as Operation Mongo. Agents with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Division of Investigations gathered evidence and information regarding violations of state and federal fish and wildlife laws.

This investigation was the result of complaints and information provided by concerned sportsmen in the area.

A team of investigators from the Division of Investigations was sent in to gather information and evidence of illegal taking of wildlife. Several of the alleged charges involve times when the undercover agents actually accompanied the defendants during the conduct of the alleged unlawful activities.

“This area has become known throughout the United States as a place to harvest trophy deer and illegal conduct is almost certain to follow,” said Sgt. Tim Sickmeyer, Acting Chief of the Division of Investigations and supervisor of the operation. “The conduct and statements made by the suspects regarding the alleged illegal activities lead us to believe that it was almost routine for them to engage in illegal activity.”

The investigation was funded in part by the John Jacob (Jake) Wolf Memorial Fund established in 1983 for the investigation into the illegal taking of fish and wildlife, as well as other natural resource crimes.

The investigation continues with additional subjects expected to be charged. Anyone who has information regarding any type of natural resource violation is encouraged to call the Target Illinois Poachers hotline at 1-877-2DNRLAW (877-236-7529).

The Following individuals have been charged as a result of the investigation.

Kenneth L. Pace, 33, Grafton
Unlawful possession of deer valued in excess of $600-Class 3 felonies (two counts).
Unlawful use of lights from motor vehicle while in possession of a firearm-Class A Misdemeanor (two counts).
Unlawful take of a whitetail deer during closed season-Class A Misdemeanor.
Fraudulent use of an archery deer tag-Class A Misdemeanor.
Unlawful Falsification of IDNR records (taxidermy records)-Class A Misdemeanor.
Unlawful falsification of IDNR records-Class A Misdemeanor.
Unlawful possession of deer-Class B (two counts).
Unlawful hunting deer after legal hours-Class B Misdemeanor.
Unlawful taking of deer from a public right of way-Class B Misdemeanor.
Unlawful attempting to take deer during closed season with a high powered rifle-Class B Misdemeanor.
Unlawful transporting uncased/loaded firearm in a motor vehicle-Class B Misdemeanor.

Daniel A. Bailey, 37, Grafton
Unlawful Possession of whitetail deer valued in excess of $600-Class 3 felony.
Unlawful use of light from vehicle while in possession of a firearm-Class A Misdemeanor (two Counts).
Unlawful hunting with shotgun capable of holding more than three shells-Class B Misdemeanor.
Failure to tag deer immediately upon kill as required-Class B Misdemeanor.
Unlawful transfer or loan of a deer permit-Class A Misdemeanor.
Attempt to take deer without a valid permit-Class B Misdemeanor.
Unlawful transporting loaded/uncased gun in a vehicle-Class B Misdemeanor (two Counts).
Unlawful hunting from a public right of way-Class B Misdemeanor.
Attempting to take wild turkey during closed season-Class B Misdemeanor (two Counts).


Attempting to take wild turkey without a valid permit-Class B Misdemeanor.
Unlawful taking over the daily limit of squirrels-Class B Misdemeanor.

Robert M. DeSherlia, 37, Grafton
Unlawful purchase of protected aquatic life-Class A Misdemeanor.
Unlawful possession of species listed as threatened on the Illinois Endangered and Threatened Species List-Class A Misdemeanor.

Susan M. Baze, 38, Grafton
Knowingly allowing a minor to hunt deer without a valid permit-Class B Misdemeanor.

Steven W. Gross, 55, Grafton
Unlawful Possession of Birds of Prey-Class A Misdemeanor.
Unlawful Possession of whitetail deer-Class B Misdemeanor.
Unlawful Possession of wild turkeys-Class B Misdemeano.r
Unlawful Possession of bullfrogs during closed season-Class B Misdemeanor.
Taking Bullfrogs out of season-Class B Misdemeanor.
Unlawful hunting in a nature preserve-Class A Misdemeanor.
Transporting loaded uncased firearm in vehicle-Class B Misdemeanor.

Roger L. Wangler, 27, Fieldon
Receive or have in custody of untagged migratory game birds, specifically, wood ducks, belonging to another person- Federal violation.
Take more than the daily limit of migratory game birds (three wood ducks)-Federal Violation.
Unlawful transporting uncased gun on motor vehicle (atv)-Class B Misdemeanor (2 Counts).
Unlawful participating in a deer hunt after taking legal limit of deer with a firearm-Class B Misdemeanor.
Unlawful taking deer without a valid permit-Class B Misdemeanor.
Unlawful possession and use of altered firearm deer permit-Class A Misdemeanor.

Billy Jo Wangler, 30, Fieldon
Put or leave migratory game birds (wood ducks) in the custody of another person without properly tagging -Federal Violation.
Unlawful transportation of an uncased firearm on motor vehicle (atv)-Class B Misdemeanor.

Stephen D. (Duane) Brown, 32, Griggsville
Engaging in the business of an outfitter without a license -Petty Offense.
Unlawful loan or use of a deer permit belonging to another-Class A Misdemeanor (two Counts).
Unlawful Possession of illegally taken wild turkey-Class B Misdemeanor.
Unlawful Possession of illegally taken deer-Class B Misdemeanor (two counts).
Unlawful falsification of deer check-in records-Class A Misdemeanor (three counts).
Unlawful loan or use of a turkey permit belonging to another-Class A Misdemeanor. (two counts).

Unlawful taking of more than the permited number of whitetail deer-Class B Misdemeanor (three counts).

Stephen D. Brown, 56, Griggsville
Engaging in the business of an outfitter without a license- Petty Offense.
Unlawful loan or use of deer permit belonging to another -Class A Misdemeanor (two counts).
Unlawful possession of illegally taken whitetail deer-Class B Misdemeanor.
Contributing to the unlawful take of wild turkey-Class B Misdemeanor.
Unlawful possession of an illegally taken wild turkey-Class B Misdemeanor.
Unlawful taking of more than the permitted limit of whitetail deer-Class B Misdemeanor.
Unlawful hunting deer after legal hours-Class B Misdemeanor.
Unlawful transportation of untagged deer-Class B Misdemeanor.

Joyce E. Brown, 51, Griggsville
Unlawfull use or loan of a deer permit-Class A Misdemeanor.
Unlawful falsification of deer Check-in records-Class A Misdemeanor.

Dennis L. Will, 50, Griggsville
Unlawful falsification of information on IDNR deer harvest records-Class A Misdemeanor.
Unlawful loan or use of a deer permit belonging to another-Class A Misdemeanor.
Unlawful possession of an illegally tagged whitetail deer-Class B Misdemeanor.

Paul Klinefelter, 74, Pittsfield
Unlawful loan or transfer a firearm deer permit to another-Class A Misdemeanor.
Unlawful possession of whitetail deer-Class B Misdemeanor.
Contributing to the unlawful taking of wild turkey-Class B Misdemeanor.

Ronald K. Clemence, 49, Athens
Accessory to unlawful use or loan of another’s deer permit-Class A Misdemeanor.
Unlawful use or loan of another’s deer permit-Class A Misdemeanor.
Unlawful possession of illegally tagged whitetail deer-Class B Misdemeanor.

Ronald D. Clemence, 18, Athens
Unlawful use or loan of another’s deer permit-Class A Misdemeanor.
Accessory to the unlawful possession of an illegally tagged deer-Class B Misdemeanor.

The charges that have resulted against these individuals as part of this investigation are merely accusations and the accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of Law.