Four Sentenced on Charges as Result of Undercover DNRE Investigation in St. Clair County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2010

Contacts: D/Lt. Wade Hamilton 231-922-5280 ext. 6804 or Mary Dettloff
517-335-3014

Four Sentenced on Charges as Result of Undercover DNRE Investigation in
St. Clair County

Four St. Clair County men charged in with violations documented during
a three-year undercover investigation by detectives from the Department
of Natural Resources and Environment’s Law Enforcement Division’s
Special Investigations Unit have entered guilty pleas in 72nd District
Court in St. Clair County. 

The investigation was initiated when information was gathered by local
Conservation Officers that Jerry Gordon, 50, of Clay Township had
allegedly been involved in significant game and fish law violations for
many years. Gordon had 10 prior convictions for game and fish violations
prior to the recent investigation.  Detectives were able to substantiate
many violations during the course of the investigation, and based on
their observations and evidence gathered during the execution of a
search warrant at Gordon’s residence, the St. Clair County
Prosecutor’s Office issued arrest warrants totaling 10 counts for
Gordon.  The charges were reduced from a higher number of violations
documented by the detectives based on an agreement between Gordon’s
attorney and the prosecutor’s office.  

Gordon entered guilty pleas to charges of the illegal possession of a
lake sturgeon taken during the closed season, illegal sale of
sport-caught fish, operating unlicensed fishing charters, taking
overlimits of deer, taking waterfowl over a baited area, possession of
unregistered handguns and possession of narcotics.  Gordon was sentenced
by the Honorable Judge Herman Campbell.  The sentence included a total
of $5,125 in fines, costs, and restitution; revocation of all hunting
and fishing licenses for a period of five years; and 30 days in the St.
Clair County Jail to be served immediately.  In addition, Gordon
forfeited two boats, one shotgun, several handguns, fishing equipment,
numerous sets of deer antlers and a large quantity of fish.

Brian Williams, 41, of Algonac was charged with operating an unlicensed
fishing charter, sale of sport-caught fish and retaining foul-hooked
fish.  He has entered guilty pleas on two of the charges with the third
being dismissed.  Williams was sentenced by Judge Campbell to pay a
total of $815 in fines, costs, and restitution; and his fishing license
was revoked for three years.

Alan Goerke, 47, of Algonac was charged with taking waterfowl over a
baited area and entered a guilty plea to a reduced charge. Goerke was
assessed $200 in fines by Judge Richard A. Cooley.

Robert Brearley, 56, of Algonac was charged with operating an
unlicensed fishing charter and entered a guilty plea and was sentenced
to $300 in fines and costs plus $340 in restitution to the DNRE by Judge
John Monaghan.

The public is reminded to contact the Report All Poaching hotline at
800-292-7800 with any information regarding large- or small-scale
poaching operations.

The DNRE is committed to conserve, manage, protect, and promote
accessible use and enjoyment of the state's environmental, natural
resource, and related economic interests for current and future
generations.

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