VT Poachers convicted

For Immediate Release: June 19, 2009

Media Contacts: Chad Barrett, Dennis Reinhardt, 802-241-3700

Two Central Vermont Deer Poaching Cases Result in Convictions

WATERBURY, VT – Five men were recently convicted in two cases involving the poaching of six deer in Waterbury Center and East Montpelier last October as a result of investigations by Vermont State Game Wardens.

A tip from a concerned hunter resulted in an investigation revealing that three doe and two large bucks were shot between 2 and 5 a.m. from a truck with a crossbow and light in Stowe and Waterbury Center.

Jason Trieb, age 27, from Burlington, shot one deer in Stowe and was convicted in Lamoille County District Court of taking deer by illegal means. He paid a $250.00 fine, $500.00 in restitution and lost his Vermont hunting and fishing license privileges for three years.

William Mitchell, age 51, from Starksboro, shot two deer in Stowe. He was convicted in Lamoille County District Court of shooting from a motor vehicle. He paid a $250.00 fine, $1000.00 in restitution and lost his license privileges for one year.

Lucas Ashley, age 28 from Shelburne, shot one deer in Stowe and one deer in Waterbury Center. He was convicted in Washington County District Court of taking deer by illegal means. He paid a fine of $581.00, restitution of $1,000.00 and lost his license privileges for 3 years.

Troy Ripley, age 30, from Waterbury Center, shot a five-point buck with a small caliber rifle early at approximately 2 a.m. in East Montpelier. He was convicted in Washington County District Court of taking deer by illegal means and went to jail for three days instead of paying a fine of $500. He did pay $300. in restitution.

Joseph Lupien, age 27, from Barre, held the spot-light beam on the deer while Ripley shot it. He was convicted in Washington County District Court of taking deer by illegal means. He was assessed a $500.00 fine and restitution of $500.00, but chose instead to do ten days in a Department of Corrections work crew.

-30-

Caption for attached photo:

Photo by Warden Chad Barrett

A tip from a concerned hunter helped bring three men to justice for illegally shooting these five deer in Stowe and Waterbury, VT in October, 2008.

poached deer.jpg 217K View Download