PA MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO UNLAWFUL KILLING OF MIGRATORY BIRD…AGAIN
READING – Pennsylvania Game Commission officials today announced that Roy Gordon Lovell, 74, of Glen Rock pled guilty to one count of the unlawful killing of a Canada goose and one count of false or fraudulent statements to an officer on April 28. The charges stemmed from an incident on April 20, in Codorus Township, York County.
“Although there is a lawful hunting season for the taking of Canada geese, the violation occurred during the closed season for hunting or taking this species,” said Chad Eyler, Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer for southwestern York County. “Canada geese are protected by both state and federal law, and established hunting seasons must be followed.
Magisterial District Judge Kim Leppo sentenced Lovell to pay a $300 fine for the false and fraudulent statements to an officer charge and a $200 fine for killing of the Canada goose. Additionally, Lovell was ordered to pay $200 for the replacement cost of the goose. The imposition of the replacement costs was the first time replacement costs for killing a Canada goose were imposed in York County under a new restitution section approved by the Board of Game Commissioners in April 2009. The new replacement costs were adopted by the Board to enhance penalties associated with poaching and deter poaching activity.
On April 20, a witness reported to the Game Commission that Lovell had shot at and killed a Canada goose on his property near Glen Rock. Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer Robert Simmonds conducted an investigation and found evidence that proved Lovell had unlawfully killed the bird.
WCO Chad Eyler and Simmonds filed charges on Lovell for the April 20 incident.
Eyler noted this is the second time since December Lovell has been convicted of unlawfully killing migratory birds in York County.
On Dec. 7, Lovell pled guilty to one count of unlawful taking and possession of a great blue heron in front of Judge Leppo. The charges stemmed from an incident on Sept. 3, also in Codorus Township, York County. Great blue herons also are protected by both state and federal law. In this case, Lovell was ordered to pay a $200 fine and $200 for the replacement costs of the bird.
“Although this is the second time in less than five months that we have cited Mr. Lovell, we are pleased to bring this case to a successful conclusion and believe the combined penalty will act as a deterrent to this individual and others who would engage in such unlawful acts,” Eyler said. “This incident also demonstrates the importance and value of having Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officers, and that we are blessed to have them serve the citizens and wildlife of Pennsylvania.”
