Results in Game Law Violation Convictions
Steven B. Tyson of 1198 Apple Harvest Drive, Hedgesville, West Virginia, pleaded No Contest to seven game law violations Thursday July 24, 2014, in the Berkeley County Magistrate Court of West Virginia. The charges were filed against Mr. Tyson after a lengthy undercover operation between West Virginia Natural Resources Police and the Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries Conservation Police. Between September 2013 and November 2013, the investigation revealed Mr. Tyson was operating an illegal deer processing enterprise at his residence in Berkeley County, West Virginia.
On Friday, Nov. 8, 2013, search warrants were executed by officers of the West Virginia Natural Resources Police and the Virginia Game and Fisheries Conservation Police at the residence of Steve Tyson and his brother, Max Tyson Jr., also of Hedgesville. As a result of the search warrants and evidence collected, Steve Tyson, his wife, Debra Tyson and brother, Max Tyson, were charged with multiple game violations as well as other crimes. As of this date, Max Tyson’s charges are still pending in the Berkeley County, West Virginia and Virginia court systems.
Steve Tyson was charged with one count of Illegal Sale of Wildlife (deer bologna), two counts of Conspiracy to Violate Chapter 20 and four counts of Illegal Possession of wildlife/parts thereof, which consisted of one 12-point buck, one 7-point buck, and two buck heads and antlers. Total fines and court cost assessed to Mr. Tyson totaled $1261.75
Debra L. Tyson pleaded No Contest to the Illegal Sale of Wildlife (deer bologna) and Conspiracy to Violate Chapter 20 in the Berkeley County Magistrate Court Jan. 30, 2014. Total fines and court costs were $360.50
Three other Berkeley County residents also received citations as a result of this investigation.
Sherman L. Parsons Jr. age 38 of Glengary, West Virginia, was charged with Taking Deer Closed Season one count, Illegal Possession of Wildlife (deer) one count, and Improper Checking of Deer, one count. Mr. Sherman pleaded to all charges Dec. 2, 2013. Total fines and Court Costs were $540. Mr. Sherman was also ordered to pay a $2,000 replacement cost on the deer.
Raymond E. Malcom, age 39 of Gerrardstown, West Virginia, was charged with the Illegal possession of Wildlife (deer) one count, Conspiring in a Game Law Violation of Chapter 20 one count, Driving Suspended and No proof of Insurance. Mr. Malcom pleaded to all charges Dec. 2, 2013. Total fines and court costs were $1,061.
Transportation of Wildlife out of state 10 counts, Illegal Possession of Wildlife (deer) 10 counts, and Conspiring in a Game Law Violation of Chapter 20. Mr. Benner pleaded March 24, 2014. Total fines and court costs were $620.50. The Illegal Possession of Wildlife (deer) was dismissed.
