Christopher J. Alexander, 28, of Wilmington, Ohio, was sentenced in December in Clinton County Common Pleas Court for unlawfully shooting a trophy white-tailed deer buck in November 2023. He was sentenced to pay the maximum restitution for the 18-point trophy buck, $35,071.73. It is the largest restitution value for a single white-tailed deer in Ohio’s history. Restitution increased to $39,696.73 when $4,625 was added for a second unlawfully taken buck during the 2023 hunting season.
Alexander was also sentenced to complete five years of community control and serve six months at STAR Community Justice Center, a locked-down community based correctional facility. He received a 10-year hunting license revocation and forfeited all property seized as evidence, including the trophy deer’s antlers. Finally, he was ordered to pay $1,000 in fines, $1,000 to the Turn In a Poacher (TIP) program, $2,000 in restitution to media outlets and all court costs.
Ohio’s Division of Wildlife (DOW) began the investigation into Alexander’s taking of the trophy buck on Nov. 9, 2023, after receiving information alleging the deer was taken unlawfully.
In October 2024 Alexander pleaded guilty to 14 counts related to the incident, along with his unlawful taking of a second antlered deer in the 2023-24 hunting season.
The counts included: illegal taking or possession of deer (two); hunting without a license; hunting without a deer permit; selling illegally taken or possessed deer antlers; spotlighting; hunting without permission (four); tampering with evidence; theft; misdemeanor theft; and falsification.
“Hunting in Ohio is a time-honored tradition, and there is a proper way to be safe and successful,” Ohio Attorney General David Yost told Fox Weather. “When bad actors like these guys try to cheat the system, it ruins the reputation of Ohio’s respected sportsmen and women–I can’t stand for that.”
Three accomplices connected to the case were also sentenced. Corey P. Haunert, 29, of Hillsboro, Ohio, was charged for attempted tampering with evidence, aiding a wildlife offender in taking or possessing deer (three counts), hunting without permission and falsification. He was ordered to pay $500 in fines; pay $500 to the TIP program; pay additional court costs; serve 90 days in jail (suspended); complete 200 hours of community service; and complete three years of community control. In addition, his hunting license was revoked for three years and he forfeited a tree stand and crossbow.
Kristina M. Alexander, 37, of Blanchester, Ohio, was charged for obstructing official business. She was ordered to pay $500 in fines; pay $500 to the TIP program; pay additional court costs; serve 60 days in jail (suspended); and complete one year of monitored time supervision.
Zachary R. Haunert, 31, of Lebanon, Ohio, was charged and ordered to pay $250 in fines; pay $250 to the TIP program; pay additional court costs; serve 60 days in jail (suspended); and complete one year of monitored time supervision.
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