Pennsylvania Poaching Ring Bust Results in $35K in Fines, 70 Years Worth of Suspensions

In another big ol’ bust in the Keystone State, eight individuals from the Northern Cambria area pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to the illegal taking of multiple whitetails.

The investigation kicked off in March 2024 when state game warden Mason Frumkin conducted a routine fishing license check in Indiana County. A quick peek into the suspect’s vehicle revealed firearms and ammunition, piquing the officers attention. As the warden continued to press on the individual, he soon got more than he bargained for, including a complete confession to spotlighting and shooting deer at night.

With the confession in hand, search warrants and further probes were soon executed by the Game Commission’s Southwest Region, uncovering a web of violations, including failure to properly tag deer, taking bucks below antler restrictions, using out-of-state tags, and exceeding legal harvest limits. The case went on to expose something of a small network of poachers, eventually resulting in violations being handed down to eight different individuals related to the case.

All eight suspects pleaded guilty to summary violations of unlawful taking of game or wildlife during a closed season. The penalties, as detailed by Pennsylvania Game Commission- Southwest Region are as follows:

• Sandra Wise, 54, of Marsteller: Pleaded to 2 counts, fined $1,202, hunting license revoked for 4 years.

• Daniel Wise, 39, of Marsteller: Pleaded to 2 counts, fined $2,142, license revoked for 6 years.

• Issac Keith, 23, of Penn Run: Pleaded to 4 counts, fined $4,222, license revoked for 10 years.

• Dan Sodmont, 28, of Marsteller: Pleaded to 6 counts, fined $6,303, license revoked for 10 years.

• Marina Morgan, 27, of Northern Cambria: Pleaded to 6 counts, fined $6,303, license revoked for 10 years.

• Dennis Corson, 47, of Northern Cambria: Pleaded to 4 counts, fined $4,222, license revoked for 10 years.

• Levi Corson, 21, of Northern Cambria: Pleaded to 4 counts, fined $4,222, license revoked for 10 years.

With over $35,000 worth of combined fines and 70 years worth of license suspensions handed down, the Northern Cambria poaching bust serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of violating game laws. Great work, once again, by our trusted men and women in uniform to bring justice to these completely senseless crimes.