Allan Wright denied early release from his probation terms

For now at least defrocked, former Ohio Division of Wildlife officer Allan Wright won't have the opportunity to hunt nor fish any earlier than his original probation requirements stipulated.

On June 14 Wright had sought relief from his probation demands, seeking a release from them by his sentencing officer, Federal Court Judge Michael R. Barrett.

The former state wildlife officer pleaded guilty in 2012 for violating four misdemeanor charges of the federal Lacey Act.

Specifically, Wright was charged with violating the Act “by trafficking in and making false records for illegally harvested white-tail deer,” said the U.S. Justice Department when the former state wildlife was sentenced.

At the time of Wright's sentencing, Judge Barrett said the former 18-year state wildlife officer had placed himself at a “crossroad” in his life.

Barrett then said also Wright had given wildlife law enforcement in the state a “black-eye” and had similarly “violated his oath of office.”

Among that oath's components includes “Article VI, Private Conduct:”

“Wildlife officers shall be mindful of the special identification their position has to the public as

upholders of the law.

“Laxity of conduct, unwholesome private life, expressing disrespect for the law, or seeking unearned privileges will reflect poorly upon wildlife officers, the Division of Wildlife, and the Department (of Natural Resources).

“Wildlife officers must lead the life of decent and honorable persons.

“Wildlife officers have no special privileges or benefits, but gain satisfaction and pride in following and furthering an unbroken tradition of safeguarding the wildlife resources of Ohio.

“Wildlife officers who reflect upon this tradition shall not degrade it. Rather, they shall so conduct

their private life that the public will regard them as examples of stability, fidelity, and morality.”

In being sentenced July 17, 2012 by Barrett, Wright was ordered he could not buy either a hunting or a fishing license anywhere in the world for five years, or the length of his probation.

Wright also was placed under house arrest for three months, pay $1,000 to Ohio's Turn-in-a-Poacher (TIP) program, pay $25-per-count court costs, cannot engage in the taking of any illegal drug or alcohol and must meet periodically with a probation officer.

Thus and almost one year to the day when Wright made his court-required sentencing appearance, he sought from Barrett release from the remaining four years of his probation terms.

Without making any comment Barrett denied Wright his request, which was also opposed by U.S. Justice Department attorneys.

Wright maintains a job with Lincoln Memorial University, a small, private four-year liberal arts school located in Harrogate, Tenn. There, Wright works in the school's maintenance department.

 

- Jeffrey L. Frischkorn

JFrischk@Ameritech.net