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News Release ILLEGAL HUNTING SCHEME GOES AWRY: DAVENPORT MAN GETS THREE-YEAR PRISON TERM
March 20, 2006 Contact: Gary Morse (863) 648-3203
A scheme to horde and monopolize hunting privileges on state wildlife management areas has backfired in a big way for a Polk County man, netting him a hefty three-year prison sentence with no chance of early release.
Investigators from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) discovered that Alfred Joseph Tatro, D.O.B. 2/15/43, of 539 Ranger Park Court, Davenport, submitted multiple applications for free hunting permits, using the names of others without their permission. Tatro would then use the ill-gotten permits himself, give the permits away to friends or trade them for hunts on other state lands.
Tatro’s scheme was discovered when information on hunt applications was checked and cross-referenced in the agency’s computer database for discrepancies. Investigators further discovered that some people listed on the permit applications had never even heard of Tatro.
With strong evidence of multiple identity thefts, FWC investigators stepped up their efforts and set up surveillance at Hilochee Wildlife Management Area near Clermont on April 8, 2005, a hunt for which Tatro had an ill-gotten permit. Tatro, a convicted felon, was photographed showing his shotgun to FWC undercover officers and using one of the illicitly obtained permits.
FWC officers and investigators subsequently arrested Tatro on July 18, 2005 and seized the 10-gauge New England Arms shotgun he was photographed with. In addition, two other firearms were found in the subject’s possession and taken into custody: a Remington 30-06 rifle and a .50 caliber Thompson Center Hawken muzzleloading rifle.
The Polk County State Attorney’s Office originally charged Tatro with one count of scheming to defraud, three counts of forgery, four counts of felony identity theft, four counts of falsifying information on state hunting applications and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.
On March 3, 2006, Tatro pleaded guilty to reduced charges on one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, one count of scheming to defraud and one count of falsifying information on a state hunting application. The three-year prison sentence that resulted was considerably lighter than Tatro might have received had he not reached a plea agreement with state prosecutors. Subsequently, the court awarded all seized firearms to the FWC.
Falsifying information on state applications is a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum $500 fine and 60 days in jail. Identity theft is a third-degree felony, punishable by a maximum $5,000 fine and five years in prison. Possession of a firearm by a felon is a second-degree felony punishable, by a maximum $10,000 fine and 15 years in prison.
Posts: 409 | From: Umatila, Florida | Registered: Jun 2003
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No wonder it has been hard to draw if people are doing junk like that! Glad they caught him!
-------------------- MOLON LABE
Traditional Bowhunters Of Florida Charity Shoot January 26, 2013. State Championship Shoot March 1-3, 2013. Come shoot with us! Posts: 4665 | From: weirsdale, fl | Registered: Mar 2004
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There's a fellow that hunted Rock Springs and his picture was posted on the door at the check station with a nice deer from every hunt. I used to wonder how he pulled so many, then one day I heard he was caught submitting multiple permits and charged with mail fraud. I believe he got 3 years probation and was banned from being on any management area for the same period of time. I am sure there are many more out there doing the same thing. I guess it's only legal if you use a real person, buy their stamp and the mail goes to their home address.
-------------------- One second a beautiful butterfly is floating across the road and the next, there's bug guts on your glasses. Posts: 27 | From: Florida | Registered: Mar 2006
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Well look's like tax dollars wasted again.The DOC was spending more time playing softball and not rehabilitating felons.Maybe he will learn now.Eddie
Posts: 459 | From: lakeland fl | Registered: May 2004
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What about The PETA members that for years have overwhelmed the Draws with apps for the big Cypress preserve, this is well known fact.
You hardly see people hunting there because PETA members have received the majority of permits.
Does That Sound fair ?
-------------------- If I wasn't so busy hunting and fishing, I Would Get a Job Posts: 58 | From: The Jungles of Miami | Registered: Aug 2005
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