A group of men are under indictment, the result of their actions during the recent deer-hunting season.
The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Anthony L. Long and John Russell Fox, on unrelated gun charges, stemming from a series of alleged hunting violations.
Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips said both men were hunting deer with guns. He said both men have prior felony convictions that make it illegal for them to have a gun.
“If someone is convicted of certain felonies, not all felonies, but drug offenses and offenses of violence, they are under a disability and they are unable to possess, use or carry a firearm,” Phillips said.
He said the law is written that way “to protect the public.”
Phillips explained that the law applies, even if the offender is using the gun for a lawful purpose, such as hunting. He said the offender can apply to the court to have the disability lifted, but the court, must make certain findings including that the offender is no longer a danger to the public and unlikely to commit another crime.
Phillips said that during hunting season officers from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) are, “active in the field.”
He said the officers are checking for hunting licenses, the appropriate guns, safety violations and property offenses.
According to ODNR, wildlife officers are commissioned state law enforcement officers.
“Officers are empowered to investigate violations, make arrests, and testify in court on behalf of the Division of Wildlife,” according to information from ODNR. “They also serve a very important role as a point of contact with law enforcement and other agencies on topics of mutual interest and provide assistance and expertise due to their skills, training, specialized equipment and knowledge of the areas in which they work.”
Phillips said that ODNR officers came into contact with Fox and Long on separate occasions for unrelated offenses.
Fox, 39, of 15918 Fish Road, Marysville, is charged with two counts of having weapons under disability and one count of a wildlife violation. In 2017, Fox was convicted of illegal manufacture of drugs and was prohibited from gun use.
Phillips said the ODNR was contacted by a property complaining about Fox hunting on nearby property on Dec. 2. A local wildlife officer went to Fox’s home on Dec. 17, finding an antlered deer head without an appropriate deer tag. Because Fox is on probation, officials from the adult parole authority then went to Fox’s home. While there, investigators found the gun.
If convicted on all counts, Fox could face 10 years in prison.
Long, 31, of 21468 state Route 347, Raymond. Long is charged with one count of having weapons under disability.
According to court documents, on Nov. 26, ODNR notified of a hunter, trespassing on a property on Evans Road. A deputy went to the area and located two hunters, wearing orange hunting gear and holding shotguns. The deputy identified one of the men as Long. He was allegedly holding a semi-automatic shotgun.
In 2009, Long was convicted of arson so he was prohibited from having a gun. He could face as many as five years in prison if convicted.
The grand jury also indicted Lance A. Taylor, 48, whose court-listed address is the Tri-County Regional Jail in Mechanicsburg, charging him with one count of having weapons under disability. Because of a 1992 burglary conviction and because on Nov. 9 he was under indictment for gross sexual imposition, Taylor was not allowed to have guns.
Phillips said that under Ohio law a person under felony indictment is similar to a convicted person in that they are not allowed to own guns.
According to court documents, on Nov. 9, law enforcement officials were contacted about a potentially suicidal individual. When investigators arrived at the home, they found Taylor, allegedly in possession of a 20-gague shotgun.
If convicted, Taylor could face as many as five years in prison. Additionally, officials are looking to take Taylor’s gun.