Licenses revoked in deer poaching case
Trending
KEYSER -- Seven of the eight people sentenced in what is considered the largest poaching case in West Virginia history have now also had their hunting licenses revoked.
The eight individuals -- including two former sheriff's deputies and a county EMS chief -- were defendants in the deer poaching case, which lasted nearly a year.
In January 2022, the state Division of Natural Resources announced 223 charges had been filed involving at least 27 antlered bucks taken illegally in Grant, Hampshire and Mineral counties.
Two of those charged, Mineral County sheriff deputies Tyler Biggs and Dalton Dolly, resigned their positions after the charges were announced.
Another of those charged, Christopher Biggs, the Allegany County, Maryland Department of Emergency Services chief, was suspended from his position.
The other people charged were Colton Broadwater, Gregory Broadwater, Robert Horner Sr., Robert "Beau" Horner Jr. and Ivy Rodehaver.
The DNR Police said many of the 27 deer involved in the investigation were considered trophy bucks with racks having at least a 14-inch spread.
Police said the incidents ran from September through December 2021. The charges included hunting in closed season; hunting from a motor vehicle; spotlighting; having a loaded gun in a vehicle; trophy fees based on antler size; and receiving or transferring stolen property.
All eight defendants accepted plea deals, including fines and court costs. Seven of them agreed to serve jail time as home confinement, except Horner Sr., who did not receive jail time.
DNR records show that seven of the people charged have now had their hunting licenses revoked, according to documents obtained by The Cumberland Times-News.
Tyler Biggs' license has been revoked for 10 years; Christopher Biggs' license has been revoked for two years; and Dolly's license has been revoked for two years.
Colton Broadwater's license has been revoked for 10 years; Horner Jr.'s license has been revoked for five years; Horner Sr.'s license has been revoked for two years; and Rodehaver's license has been revoked for two years.
Gregory Broadwater's license has apparently not been revoked.
The eight plea deals were offered and accepted in Mineral County Magistrate Court.