Ohio man pleads guilty to poaching world-class typical whitetail

Wilmington, Ohio — An Ohio man who illegally killed a trophy buck last year in Clinton County pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to the case.

C.J. Alexander, 28, was indicted on numerous criminal charges this summer relating to the Nov. 9, 2023, alleged poaching of a would-be world-class typical whitetail. Alexander had claimed that he killed the 18-point buck on land owned by his sister when in fact the kill came on property that he did not have permission to hunt, according to ODNR investigators.

According to the Division of Wildlife (DOW), Alexander on Oct. 15 pleaded guilty to 14 charges related to the taking of the trophy buck. He also pleaded guilty to taking a second antlered buck during the 2023 season.

The 14 counts include: illegal taking or possession of deer (two counts); hunting without a license; hunting without a deer permit; selling illegally taken or possessed deer antlers; spotlighting; hunting without permission (four counts); tampering with evidence; theft; misdemeanor theft; and falsification.

Division of Wildlife investigators launched an investigation into Alexander’s trophy buck in December when the agency seized the antlers, cape, and hunting equipment used in the illegal kill.

In June, prosecutors in Clinton County charged Alexander with 23 criminal counts, which included hunting without a license, hunting without permission, and theft.

Published reports indicate that investigators were aided in piecing the case together by text messages and social media posts.

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Alexander is scheduled to be sentenced in Clinton County on Dec. 11. Maximum sanctions could include $13,750 in fines, community control, a five-year hunting license suspension, and restitution for both bucks. The larger buck’s antlers have 18 scorable points, and the final restitution has been calculated at $35,071.73. The final restitution for the second buck, with eight scorable points, is $4,625, according to information from the DOW.

Three accomplices also pleaded guilty in connection with the case. Corey P. Haunert, 29, of Hillsboro, pleaded guilty to six counts: attempted tampering with evidence; aiding a wildlife offender in taking or possessing of deer (three counts); hunting without permission; and falsification.

Kristina M. Alexander, 37, of Blanchester, pleaded guilty to two counts: obstructing official business; and aiding a wildlife offender.

Zachary R. Haunert, 31, of Lebanon, pleaded guilty to one count: aiding a wildlife offender.