Three individuals are set to be arraigned Monday, Oct. 6, in 73A District Court in Sanilac County on poaching charges related to an incident on Sept. 14 in Sanilac County.

Three men and a woman were arrested after a Department of Natural Resources conservation officer working on a homeland security patrol was alerted by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection air and marine helicopter that it observed people shining deer and shooting from a vehicle in Marion Township. The incident took place at about 9 p.m.

Conservation officer Ken Kovach, who was working on assignment targeting homeland security on the St. Clair River, responded to the report, along with the Sanilac County Sheriff's Department. Sheriff's deputies arrested the individuals and then turned them over to Officer Kovach for several wildlife-related violations, including using an artificial light source, taking deer out of season and alcohol charges.

The three men and one woman, ages 23 to 44, were located in their vehicle, along with two rifles, a dead spotted fawn and parts of another deer, on Schock Road near Russell Road in Sanilac County at about 9 p.m. The individuals are from Sanilac and Huron counties. One of the men, age 31, was turned over to U.S. Border Patrol for immigration violations.

"This case is a great example of three different agencies working together to get an arrest and protect the natural resources of our state," said Lt. David Malloch, DNR Law Enforcement supervisor for southeast Michigan.

Poaching deer in Michigan carries a restitution payment of $1,000 per deer, a minimum $200 fine and jail time of up to 90 days. In addition, a violator's hunting privileges may be suspended for up to three years.

The DNR's Report All Poaching (RAP) Line - 800-292-7800 - is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to take information regarding any fish or game violations in Michigan. Information also can be reported online at www.michigan.gov/conservationofficers. Information may be left anonymously, though information leading to an arrest and conviction is eligible for a cash reward funded by the Game and Fish Protection Fund.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

Contact: Lt. David Malloch, 313-396-6890 or Ed Golder, 517-284-5815