CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Three people face federal charges for illegally transporting wildlife across West Virginia state lines for Preston County hunting reserve.
Northern West Virginia U.S. Attorney Matt Harvey said Brian Poling, 51, of Albright, Levi Weaver, 74, of Fredericksburg, Ohio and Leroy Miller, 40, of Millersburg, Ohio, have been indicted and accused of violating the Lacey Act.
Poling, the manager of Dream Mountain Ranch in Preston County, allegedly conspired with Miller and Weaver to illegally transport live deer without health certificates which are required by law.
“West Virginians have long depended on a healthy and diverse wildlife population to feed our families, make memories, and enjoy our great outdoors,” said U.S. Attorney Harvey. “It is our shared heritage and will be protected.”
U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations require deer that are transported across state lines must have a Interstate Certificate of Veterinarian Inspection escort and proof of tuberculosis test.
The regulations are in place to prevent the spread of deadly diseases to other animals, such as elk and moose.
“The illegal transport of live deer poses a serious threat to people, wildlife, and the economy. Deer can carry deadly zoonotic diseases that may be spread to humans, livestock, and other animals. Without proper safeguards, outbreaks can occur that disrupt hunting traditions and jeopardize farm livelihoods,” said Doug Ault, Assistant Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement.
Poling, Weaver, and Miller each face up to 5 years in federal prison.