BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Natural Resources Police have charged a Baltimore County man for possessing a coyote and charged another man with poaching fish in Gunpowder Falls State Park.
Authorities say a Baltimore County man was charged for possessing a coyote that was brought from Pennsylvania into Maryland. In early July, NRP was informed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission that Steven Keil II, 34, of Pennsylvania, was in possession of a coyote. After investigating further, police learned that Parkton resident Bradley Shelley, 34, had obtained a coyote from Keil, who transported the animal across the state line.
The coyote was collected and handed over to Baltimore County Animal Control. Shelley was issued a citation for possessing or transporting a rabies vector species, and two warnings for importing a rabies vector species and failing to obtain a captive wildlife permit. In addition, he faces up to $1,500 in fines. Charges against Keil are currently pending.
Police also charged a man with poaching fish in Gunpowder Falls State Park. On July 10, officers were on patrol in the state park when they observed two individuals below the train bridge using a flashlight to catch fish in the river. One of the men, Isauro Misael Diaz Montecinos, 25, appeared to have a spear gun. The other had a fishing rod and a white bag used to carry the fish that had been caught.
Police observed Diaz shoot at least one fish with the spear gun and place the fish onto a string. A few moments later, Diaz retrieved the string and took the line over to the second person, putting the fish into the white bag. Police searched the bag and located one striped bass, two undersized smallmouth bass, one catfish, one creek chub, and six crayfish.
Police issued Diaz 11 citations, including failure to possess a non-tidal license, possession of a weapon in a state park, and fishing for striped bass and smallmouth bass with projectile gear. He is scheduled to appear in court at a later date and faces up to $10,000 in fines.
