DOVER – An investigation into hunting and firearms-related violations by Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers culminated in the Dec. 2 arrest of a Harrington man on multiple charges after police executed a search warrant and seized weapons, drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Justice Dalious, 20, was arrested and charged with four counts of possession, purchasing, owning or controlling a firearm or destructive weapon by a person prohibited/adjudicated delinquent within 10 years of the date of conviction of a violent felony; three counts of possession, purchasing, owning or controlling a firearm or ammunition by a person prohibited/adjudicated delinquent; three counts of possession, purchasing, owning or controlling a deadly weapon by a person prohibited/adjudicated delinquent; two counts of possession and/or transportation of an unlawfully taken antlered deer; two counts of possession or transportation of an unlawfully taken antlerless deer; one count of possession and/or consumption of a prescription drug not a controlled substance without a prescription; one count of possession of drug paraphernalia; and one count of possession or consumption of marijuana.

While executing the search warrant, officers located and seized as evidence three shotguns, a muzzleloader, a revolver-style handgun, an assortment of ammunition, a crossbow, a digital scale, a small amount of marijuana and 12 illegally-possessed prescription pills. Officers also responded to a Sussex County taxidermist, where they seized as evidence against Dalious two antlered deer racks that were being prepared as taxidermy mounts.

Dalious was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover and released on $22,500 unsecured bond, pending an appearance in Kent County Superior Court at a later date.

About persons prohibited from possessing weapons
Delaware law prohibits persons whose criminal and legal history includes prior felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions associated with violent crimes, drug convictions, mental conditions as defined under the law or court-issued protection from abuse orders (PFAs) from owning or possessing any type of deadly weapon. Among these are all types of firearms, as well as ammunition and any type of bow – compound, recurve or crossbow, which are considered deadly weapons.

“Any deer taken by a person under this prohibition is considered an illegal take, and that person is subject to arrest,” said Sgt. John McDerby of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, noting penalties for violations range from probation and fines to jail sentences.

“However, persons who are prohibited from possession of deadly weapons are not prohibited from purchasing a Delaware hunting license, since they can participate in activities that do not involve use of a prohibited deadly weapon but do require a hunting license, such as falconry or taking bullfrogs in season,” Sgt. McDerby continued.

Delaware hunting licenses also are available for purchase by anyone interested in contributing to wildlife conservation, Sgt. McDerby added. License revenue is used to fund statewide management programs for wildlife and habitat conservation as well as public access to state wildlife areas. For more information on how license revenue and other funding sources benefit wildlife and wildlife area users in Delaware, click Where Do Your Hunting License Dollars Go?

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting and boating laws and regulations. Citizens are encouraged to report fish, wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Hunting/Pages/OpGameTheft.aspx.

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Media contact: Sgt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386; or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 46, No. 416

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