ALLAGASH, Maine — The Maine Warden Service has charged eight people, arresting two of them, with hunting-related crimes after executing search warrants in two Maine communities Wednesday evening, according to Cpl. John MacDonald.
The six search warrants — five in Allagash and one in Palermo — were the result of an investigation into illegal hunting activity in Allagash, according to information released by MacDonald on Thursday afternoon.
Jess McBreairty, 50, of Allagash was arrested on a bail violation charge and also charged with hunting with a suspended license.
Reid Caron, 36, of Allagash was arrested on a warrant for hunting moose at night.
Both men were taken to the Aroostook County Jail. Caron has been released on bail and McBreairty remains in jail, according to jail officials.
Also charged in the operation were Carter McBreairty, 57, of Allagash, with hunting deer after having killed one; Kim Hafford, 53, of Allagash, false registration of deer; Hope Kelly, 63, of Allagash, possession of moose killed at night and possession of unregistered moose; Gregory Hughes, 63, of Allagash, possession of a firearm by a felon; Arlo Caron, 73, of Allagash, unlawful possession of gift deer; and Gerald M. Pollard, 57, of Palermo, illegal possession of moose.
Both Jesse McBreairty and Reid Caron were charged in 2007 with night hunting and hunting moose in closed season.
At the time, Caron had been an Allagash Wilderness Waterway assistant park ranger for seven years. Caron resigned the position after pleading guilty, according to Bangor Daily News archives.
Caron and McBreairty went hunting for moose the night of Sept. 7, 2007, and McBreairty shot the moose, according to court records. After the moose was discovered by wardens on St. Francis Road in Township 15 Range 10 just south of Allagash, Caron told authorities that he and McBreairty had been preparing to dress out the moose when they heard a vehicle coming and fled the scene, the documents indicate. Caron reportedly told authorities that he was having “a hard time getting by,” so the pair went to get some moose meat.
Caron was sentenced to three days in jail and was fined $1,000. A charge of hunting moose in closed season was dismissed.
Information about the disposition of the 2007 charges against McBreairty was not available Thursday.
In the current case, troopers with the Maine State Police assisted in Wednesday’s arrests and with the execution of warrants.
“The suspects charged in this investigation are intentional wildlife violators who display a complete disregard for our fish and game laws,” warden Lt. Dan Scott said in the release. “Their current and past poaching practices have undoubtedly had an impact on local wildlife resources.”
MacDonald said in the release that the warden service has been working with the Aroostook County district attorney’s office on the investigation and more charges are likely to be filed. More details were not immediately available Thursday afternoon.
On Thursday afternoon, Aroostook County District Attorney Todd Collins confirmed his office is handling the case, but could not comment beyond that.
