OPERATION RIP-RAP Illegal fish sales net 16 convictions

A Fremont restaurant owner was among those convicted.
FINDLAY, Ohio -- An undercover investigation, Operation RIP-RAP, conducted by officers of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife has resulted in 16 convictions for the commercial sale of walleye and white bass.
Fourteen Ohio residents, one Kentucky resident and an Ohio restaurant owner were convicted in Sandusky County of a total of 33 violations involving the commercial sale of sport-caught fish. The Fremont Municipal Court and the Sandusky County Common Pleas Court levied a total of $11,800 in fines, $4,470.00 in restitution, 35 years of fishing license suspensions and 72 days in jail on those convicted.
Officials commended
"Municipal Court Judge Michael Burkett and Prosecutor Bob Hart should be commended for setting an example that the illegal use of Ohio's natural resources will not be tolerated," said Terry Sunderhaus, law enforcement supervisor for the Division of Wildlife in northwest Ohio.
Information received through the Division of Wildlife's Turn-In-a-Poacher (TIP) Program initiated the investigation, which involved the illegal sale of fish caught by anglers on a portion of the Sandusky River that passes through Fremont. The case earned its name for the large rocks, called rip-rap, that line the banks of the river to prevent erosion.
Established in 1982, the TIP program allows Ohioans to call toll-free from anywhere in the state to report wildlife violations. Violations of Ohio wildlife laws can be reported anonymously at (800) POACHER (800-762-2437).
Joann Cummings, 56 (Delaware, Ohio) -- Two counts of illegally selling sport-caught fish. First charge: $250 fine plus court costs; 30 days jail with 27 days suspended and credit for one day served. Three years fishing license revocation and three years' probation. Second charge: $250 plus costs.
Jamie R. Cummings, 25 (Marengo, Ohio) -- Four counts of illegally selling sport-caught fish. First charge: $250 plus court costs; 30 days in jail, suspended. Three years fishing license revocation, three years' probation. Second charge: $250 plus court costs, 30 days in jail, suspended. Third charge: $250 with $100 suspended plus costs; 30 days in jail, suspended. Fourth charge: $250 in fines plus costs; 30 days in jail, with 27 suspended. Credit for time served.
Jay N. Cummings, 29 (Delaware, Ohio) -- Four counts of illegally selling sport-caught fish. First charge: $250 plus court costs; 30 days jail, suspended. Three years fishing license revocation and three years' probation. Second charge: $250 plus costs; 30 days in jail, suspended. Third charge: $250 with $100 suspended plus costs; 30 days in jail with 27 suspended. Credit for time served. Fourth charge: $250 plus costs; 30 days in jail with 27 suspended. Credit for time served.
Walter "Chris" Rhodes, 38 (Tiffin, Ohio) -- Four counts of illegally selling sport-caught fish. First charge: $250 fine plus court costs; 30 days in jail, suspended. Three years fishing license revocation and three years' probation. Second charge: $250 fine plus costs; 30 days in jail, suspended. Third charge: $250 plus costs and 30 days in jail, suspended. Fourth charge: $250 plus costs; 30 days in jail, with 27 suspended. Credit for time served.
Jerry N. Cummings, 67 (Delaware, Ohio) -- Two counts of illegally selling sport-caught fish. First charge: $250 plus court costs; 30 days in jail, suspended. Three years fishing license revocation and three years' probation. Second charge: $150 plus court costs; 30 days in jail, suspended.
Everette Holland, 72 (Cincinnati) -- Found guilty of illegally selling sport-caught white bass. He received a $500 fine with $205 in court costs. Credited for serving three days in jail. He was placed on probation for one year.
Larry R. Fornash, 60 (Columbus) -- Convicted of one count of illegally selling sport-caught white bass. He was ordered to pay $250 in fines plus court costs and $1,560 in restitution. His fishing license was revoked for three years and he received a 30-day jail sentence, suspended.
Grady Jones, Jr., 54 (Clay City, Ky.) -- Convicted of two counts of illegally selling sport-caught white bass and one count of illegally selling sport-caught crappie. He was ordered to pay $1,250 in fines plus court costs and $2,390 in restitution. His fishing license was revoked for three years and he was sentenced to 30 days in jail, suspended.
Thomas E. Rhodes, 36 (Tiffin, Ohio) -- Convicted of one count of illegally selling sport-caught white bass and walleye. He was ordered to pay $1,000 in fines plus court costs and $1,370 in restitution. His fishing license was revoked for three years, and he was sentenced to 60 days in jail, suspended.
Patricia L. Strausbaugh, 68 (Fremont, Ohio) -- Convicted of one count of illegally selling sport-caught white bass. She was ordered to pay $250 in fines plus court costs and $350 in restitution.
William D. Borham, 47 (Marengo, Ohio) -- Convicted of one count of illegally selling sport-caught white bass. He was ordered to pay $250 in fines plus court costs and $460 in restitution. His fishing license was revoked for three years, and he was sentenced to 30 days jail, suspended.
Eugene Garrison, 66 (Columbus) -- Convicted of one count of illegally purchasing sport-caught walleye. He was fined $1,000 with $500 suspended, plus court costs. His fishing license was revoked for five years, and he was ordered to spend 180 days in jail, with 150 days suspended.
Willie Dudley, 68 (Maple Heights, Ohio) -- Convicted of illegally purchasing sport-caught white bass. He was fined $100 plus court costs.
Larry Lemons, 50 (Akron) -- Convicted of illegally purchasing sport-caught white bass. He was fined $100 plus court costs.
Solomon Zellner, 61 (Columbus) -- Convicted of illegally purchasing sport-caught white bass. He was fined $100 plus court costs.
Tin's Golden Dragon (Fremont, Ohio) -- The restaurant was fined $2,500 for illegally buying sport-caught walleye and $1,000 for illegally buying sport-caught yellow perch.