47 year old Richard Stringfellow of Mt. Carmel has been placed on 24 months’ probation for his role in what the Illinois Department of Natural Resources called a poaching investigation.
Stringfellow was charged in June of 2021 with 14 counts including two Class 3 felonies. Appearing in Wabash County Circuit Court on Tuesday, Stringfellow pleaded guilty to the felony of unlawful possession of whitetail deer for commercial purposes. The information charged Stringfellow with having more than $300 worth of whitetail deer which had been taken in violation of the Wildlife Code.
Judge William C. Hudson accepted the plea agreement that saw the other 13 counts against Stringfellow dismissed.
In addition to the two years of probation, Stringfellow was ordered to pay over $31,000 in fines and fees and his hunting privileges in Illinois were suspended for life. During his probation, Stringfellow will not be allowed to possess firearms or other dangerous weapons.
State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman said, “…(Stringfellow’s) case did not include any animal torture like the juveniles and he had no criminal history, but we felt it important to suspend his hunting privileges for life due to his gross misuse of those privileges”.
A number of personal items were also surrendered by Stringfellow including mounted deer heads, guns, a compound bow, spotlight, knife, and rifle cartridges. Even though it was originally listed to be surrendered, Stringfellow was allowed to keep his pickup truck that had been confiscated by DNR.
The investigation into alleged poaching near Mt. Carmel and across the Wabash River in Indiana began in January of 2021 and culminated with charges being filed 6 months later. Three juveniles were also charged in the case. One of the three cases has concluded according to Storckman. Indiana authorities have also filed charges as part of the investigation. Those cases are still open and pending.