Vermont

3 Arrested After High-Speed Chase in Deer Poaching Incident

Three people have been arrested after a nighttime deer poaching incident and subsequent high-speed chase in Danville, Vermont on Saturday, October 21.

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department says Carl Sanborn, 47, and his son Jonathan Sanborn, 20, allegedly shot at a deer decoy — with a bow and arrow — that had been placed by Vermont State Game Wardens in that area because of its strong history of poaching activity.

Officials say a high-speed chase followed, during which a bow and rangefinder were thrown from the suspect's vehicle.

The vehicle, a convertible registered to Carl Sanborn, was driven by a 16-year-old who will be processed as a juvenile. He was charged with eight counts, including a felony charge for attempting to elude police, and faces more than eight years in prison and $12,000 in fines.

Carl Sanborn is being charged with seven counts, including taking big game by illegal means, hunting while under revocation, failure to stop for a game warden, and contributing to juvenile delinquency. He faces more than two years in prison and $14,000 in fines.

Carl Sanborn has previously been convicted of 24 fish and wildlife crimes dating back to 1993, and was sentenced to 81 days and fined $6,800 because of those convictions.

Jonathan Sanborn was charged with six counts and faces more than two years in prison and $8,000 in fines.

The 13-year-old, who was a passenger in the vehicle, is not being charged.

The car, bow, rangefinder, and light were all seized and can be forfeited to the state upon conviction.

Carl and Jonathan Sanborn and the 16-year-old juvenile, who is not being identified, stand to lose their hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for three years.

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department asks anyone with information about poaching activity to call their local warden through their nearest state police dispatch or to leave an anonymous tip to Operation Game Thief at 1-800-75ALERT (1-800-752-5378).

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