Several individuals face charges following a yearlong investigation into guided hunts in Jefferson County. The charges stem from hunts conducted by Fairfield business Southeast Iowa Outfitters between 2012 and 2013. According to Jefferson County Attorney Timothy Dille, his office began working with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources a year ago to investigate the illegal practices associated with the operation owned by 34-year-olds Brenton and Racheal Clark.

Some of Brenton’s charges include unlawful commercialization of wildlife, possessing other peoples’ deer tags and unlawfully hunting a deer with a mobile radio. On top of the criminal charges, the Iowa DNR is seeking liquidated damages in the amount of $120,000 against Brenton for the deer that were illegally taken during the hunts.

The investigation has led to charges being filed against individuals from North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas who paid to go on the guided hunts. The majority of them have pled guilty to unlawfully harvesting and transporting bucks, failing to have a non-resident any sex deer tag and using another persons deer tag. Six others from the Fairfield area have pled guilty to providing a deer tag to another person.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Iowa DNR Law Enforcement Bureau, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office.

In addition to the Bentons, the following individuals were also charged:

James K. Moulierre, 47, of Alexandria, LA  is charged with not having a non-resident any sex deer tag and unlawful transportation of a buck deer.

Thomas E. Bromell, 46, of Fairfield is charged with possession of a deer tag of another person and unlawful possession and transportation of a buck deer.

Those who have pled guilty include:

• David A. Neff, 67, of Fairfield, pled guilty to providing a deer tag to another person.  Fine and court cost of $195.00.

• Sheri B. Neff, 69, of Fairfield, pled guilty to providing a deer tag to another person and failure to report deer harvest.  Fine and court cost of $390.00

• James R. Deornellas, 76, of Fairfield, pled guilty to providing a deer tag to another person and failure to report deer harvest.  Fine and court cost of $390.00.

• Russell W. Deornellas, 53, of Fairfield, pled guilty to providing a deer tag to another person and failure to report deer harvest.  Fine and court cost of $390.00.

• Jerry L. Hemm, 40, of Birmingham, pled guilty to providing a deer tag to another person and failure to report deer harvest.  Fine and court cost of $390.00.

• Mark W. Kraft, 53, of Fairfield, pled guilty to providing a deer tag to another per5son and failure to report deer harvest.  Fine and court cost of $390.00.

• Dallon E. Buchanan, 41, of Cabot, AR, pled guilty to failure to report deer harvest.  Fine and court cost of $195.00.

• George W. Uithoven, 44, of Meridian, MS, pled guilty to unlawful transportation of a buck deer and not having a non-resident any sex deer tag.  Fine and court cost of $849.00.

• Louie O. Justus, 40, of Candler, NC, pled guilty to unlawful transportation of a buck deer and not having a non-resident any sex deer tag.  Fine and court cost of $849.00.

• Benjamin M. King, 26, of Rutherfordton, NC, pled guilty to unlawful transportation of a buck deer and not having a non-resident any sex deer tag.  Fine and court cost of $849.00.

• Jack Conner, 62, of Union Mills, NC, pled guilty to unlawful transportation of a buck deer and failure to report deer harvest.  Fine and court cost of $390.00.