December 11, 2024, Press Release from the Office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost: (WILMINGTON, Ohio) — A Clinton County man will spend time in jail for his leading role in a high-profile case of deer poaching for which other defendants were previously sentenced, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today.
Wilmington resident Christopher J. (“CJ”) Alexander, 28, was sentenced to 90 days in jail and ordered to pay a combined $43,000 in penalties, restitution and court costs for the unlawful harvesting last year of an 18-point white-tailed deer, a trophy animal viewed as a valuable state natural resource.
“Hunting in Ohio is a time-honored tradition, and there is a proper way to be safe and successful,” Yost said. “When bad actors like these guys try to cheat the system, it ruins the reputation of Ohio’s respected sportsmen and women – I can’t stand for that.”
Aiding Alexander in his crimes were Corey and Zachary Haunert, who are brothers, and his sister, Kristina M. Alexander, all of whom entered plea agreements on Oct. 15 and have since been sentenced.
CJ Alexander’s sentencing today follows his Oct. 15 guilty plea to 14 charges, including one felony count each of theft by deception and tampering with evidence. The 12 other charges – all misdemeanors – included hunting violations, falsification, jacklighting and the sale of wildlife parts.
Specifically, CJ Alexander’s sentence requires him to:
- Serve 180 days in jail, with 90 days suspended and the other 90 days served at the Star Community Justice Center before he can be eligible for work release. (His sentence also includes an up to 36-month suspended prison term that becomes active if community control is revoked.)
- Serve five years of community control.
- Pay $39,696.73 to the Ohio Wildlife Fund and $2,000 in restitution to KSE Sportsman Media, DBA Outdoor Sportsman Group-IM.
- Pay $1,000 in restitution to the poaching hotline, a $1,000 wildlife fine and court costs.
- Enter a four- to six-month community-based program through the Star Community Justice Center.
- Write letters of apology to affected parties.
- Forfeit all hunting-related property seized by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife as evidence.
- Lose his hunting license for a minimum of 10 years; if full restitution is not paid by then, the license remains revoked until full payment is made.
Sentenced just ahead of Alexander today was Hillsboro resident Corey Haunert, 29, of who had pleaded guilty to six charges. He was sentenced to:
- Three years of community control.
- 90 days in jail (90 days suspended on the condition that he complete 200 hours of community service).
- A three-year revocation of his hunting license.
- Forfeiture of all hunting-related property seized as evidence.
- A $500 wildlife fine, $500 in restitution to the poaching hotline and court costs.
- An up to 18-month suspended prison term that may become active if his community control is revoked.
The cases of the two other defendants had previously been adjudicated.
Kristina Alexander, 37, of Blanchester, pleaded guilty to two charges and was sentenced to:
- One year of monitored time supervision.
- A suspended jail sentence of 60 days.
- A $500 wildlife fine, $500 in restitution to the poaching hotline and court costs.
Zachary Haunert, 31, of Lebanon, pleaded guilty to one charge and was sentenced to:
- One year of monitored time supervision.
- 60 days in jail (suspended).
- A $250 wildlife fine, $250 in restitution to the poaching hotline and courts costs.
The plea agreements followed a thorough investigation by ODNR’s Division of Wildlife, which uncovered extensive evidence of illegal hunting by the defendants.
The cases, prosecuted in Clinton County by attorneys from the Environmental Enforcement Section of the Attorney General’s Office, reinforce the state’s commitment to protecting Ohio’s natural resources.
Largest restitution value for a deer in Ohio
December 11, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources COLUMBUS, Ohio – Christopher J. Alexander, 28, of Wilmington, was sentenced today in Clinton County Common Pleas Court for unlawfully shooting a trophy white-tailed deer buck in November 2023, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
Alexander was sentenced to pay the maximum restitution for the 18-point trophy buck, $35,071.73. This was the largest restitution value for a single white-tailed deer in Ohio’s history. Restitution increased to $39,696.73 when $4,625 was added for a second unlawfully taken buck during the 2023 hunting season.
The antlers that were collected as evidence in the C.J. Alexander case.
Alexander was also sentenced to complete five years of community control and serve six months at STAR Community Justice Center, a locked down community based correctional facility. He received a 10-year hunting license revocation and forfeited all property seized as evidence, including the trophy deer’s antlers. Finally, he was ordered to pay $1,000 in fines, $1,000 to the Turn In a Poacher (TIP) program, $2,000 in restitution to media outlets, and all court costs.
The Division of Wildlife conducted an investigation into Alexander’s taking of the trophy buck on Nov. 9, 2023, after receiving information alleging that the deer was taken unlawfully. The Division of Wildlife would like to thank the wildlife officers and investigators who contributed to the case as well as its partners who assisted in reaching justice.
In October, Alexander pleaded guilty to 14 counts related to the incident, along with his unlawful taking of a second antlered deer in the 2023-24 hunting season:
- Illegal taking or possession of deer (two)
- Hunting without a license
- Hunting without a deer permit
- Selling illegally taken or possessed deer antlers
- Spotlighting
- Hunting without permission (four)
- Tampering with evidence
- Theft
- Misdemeanor theft
- Falsification
Three accomplices connected to the case were also sentenced.
- Corey P. Haunert, 29, of Hillsboro, was charged for attempted tampering with evidence, aiding a wildlife offender in taking or possessing deer (three counts), hunting without permission, and falsification. He was ordered to pay $500 in fines; pay $500 to the TIP program; pay additional court costs; serve 90 days in jail, suspended; complete 200 hours of community service; and complete three years of community control. In addition, his hunting license was revoked for three years and he forfeited a tree stand and crossbow.
- Kristina M. Alexander, 37, of Blanchester, was charged for obstructing official business and aiding a wildlife offender. She was ordered to pay $500 in fines; pay $500 to the TIP program; pay additional court costs; serve 60 days in jail, suspended; and complete one year of monitored time supervision.
- Zachary R. Haunert, 31, of Lebanon, was charged for aiding a wildlife offender. He was ordered to pay $250 in fines; pay $250 to the TIP program; pay additional court costs; serve 60 days in jail, suspended; and complete one year of monitored time supervision.
The Division of Wildlife is dedicated to enforcing laws that protect Ohio’s wildlife. Input and concern from the public are integral to those enforcement efforts. Anyone who witnesses a wildlife violation in Ohio can call the Turn in a Poacher hotline at 1-800-POACHER (1-800-762-2437). Reports are kept anonymous. Information that results in a conviction of a wildlife crime may result in a reward.
Ohio wildlife officers have statewide authority to enforce wildlife regulations and protect state lands, waterways, and property. As state law enforcement officers, they contribute to public safety in their local areas and Ohio’s great outdoors. They also speak to hundreds of clubs and groups about conservation and wildlife programs, perform fish and wildlife surveys, and provide technical advice and instruction about wildlife management issues, hunting, fishing, and other outdoor related recreation.
The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Visit wildohio.gov to find out more.
In 2024, join ODNR as we celebrate 75 years of protecting Ohio’s natural resources and providing outstanding and award-winning recreational opportunities.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
