P R E S S R E L E A S E

DEEP Makes Arrests for Illegal Hunting

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced that state Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police officers arrested four men on violations of the state’s hunting laws. Those arrested were James L. Salzarulo (DOB 7/24/1970), Leon W. McClusky (DOB 11/23/1975), Vincent L. Hottel, II (DOB 1/26/1982) all of Pittsfield, Massachusetts and Jason Barnaby (12/24/1974) of Peru, Massachusetts. Salzarulo, Barnaby, and McClusky were all charged with one count of bow hunting without dated written consent since they did not have written permission to hunt on private land. In addition, Barnaby was charged with illegal deer hunting as EnCon Officers determined that he had allegedly killed a deer. Hottel was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit criminal trespass in the third degree.

The arrests occurred following an investigation into deer poaching in the Sharon Mountain area. For the past several fall seasons DEEP EnCon Police have received complaints from area residents reporting vehicles bearing Massachusetts license plates dropping off and picking up people in camouflage along the road adjacent to various private estates and wooded areas.

EnCon Police officers conducting surveillance in the pre-dawn hours of October 8th observed a van with Massachusetts license plates in the Sharon Mountain area. The officers located the van, which was being operated by Hottel, after sunrise and continued their surveillance until the van began to pick up subjects that had been dropped off prior to sunrise. Salzarulo, McClusky and Barnaby were apprehended as they exited private land where they had allegedly been illegally hunting. The three were all in full camouflage gear with archery hunting equipment when apprehended. All four were released on bond and are scheduled to appear in Bantam Superior Court on October 24, 2011.