35 convicted in Harrison County deer processing investigation

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife has concluded an investigation into a white-tailed deer processor in Harrison County that resulted in 35 people being convicted of 55 violations.

During the investigation, dubbed Operation Donor Deer, wildlife officers and investigators found numerous violations by Rodney Shields, 59, of Harrisville, owner of Rod’s Custom Deer Processing. ODNR said the violations included the unlawful sale of venison, much of it from checked deer that were donated for local food pantries.

Shields pleaded guilty to seven charges in Harrison County Common Pleas Court. He was ordered to pay $16,500 in restitution, to be divided among victims whose venison was stolen and sold and the ODNR Division of Wildlife. He also received 17 months of suspended jail time and two years of community control.

Shields pleaded guilty to felony counts of obstructing justice, theft by deception and illegal sales, as well as three misdemeanor theft charges and one misdemeanor count of possessing an untagged deer.

Among the other defendants were Robert Sliva, 66, of Harrisville, and Thomas Bibeau, 53, of Deerfield, New Hampshire.

Sliva pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor charges: illegal sale of wild animals, failure to keep accurate records and possession of untagged deer parts. He was ordered to pay a $500 fine and court costs, complete one year of probation and serve 30 days in jail, suspended.

Bibeau pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of failing to properly complete the game check process. He was ordered to pay a $500 fine and court costs, complete one year of probation, forfeit his hunting license for one year and serve 60 days in jail, suspended.

ODNR said defendants in the case received a total of $6,313 in fines, eight years of hunting license suspensions and 24 months of suspended jail time.

Anyone who witnesses a wildlife violation in Ohio can call the Turn in a Poacher hotline at 1-800-POACHER (1-800-762-2437). Reports are anonymous, and information leading to a conviction may be eligible for a reward.