Observer-Reporter forum

2aa · Amature Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 158

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Game Commission Southwest Regional Director R. Matthew Hough announced that charges recently were filed against two individuals for growing marijuana on State Game Land 117 in Smith Township, Washington County.

PGC Photo
On Sept. 4, a team of Game Commission officers and employees removed 21 marijuana plants from SGL 117 in Washington County. Those participating in the removal were: Kneeling left to right: WCO Seth Mesoras (Westmoreland County), WCO Richard Joyce (Washington County), WCO Dan Sitler (Washington County), WCO Gary Fujak (Allegheny County); and Standing left to right: IES Tom Fazi (SWRO), LMGS Doug Dunkerley, WCO Rod Burns (Greene County), WCO Randy Crago (Greene County), LES Scott Tomlinson (SWRO), WCO Matt Kramer (Beaver County), WCO Beth Fife (Allegheny County).
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On June 7, Washington County Wildlife Conservation Officer (WCO) Daniel Sitler and Deputy WCO James Lorch, while on routine patrol on SGL 117, encountered two individuals who were acting suspicious during the brief conversation.

“After this odd exchange, we decided to try and determine what they had been doing while visiting SGL 117,” WCO Sitler said. “We back-tracked where they had been and soon discovered 21 marijuana plants planted in thick vegetation along a Game Commission food plot.”

Following this discovery, the officers used video surveillance technology to establish the connection between the suspected individuals and the marijuana plants.

“The Game Commission has a long history and tradition of passing down our investigative techniques from one generation of Wildlife Conservation Officers to the next through our training structure,” said Scott W. Tomlinson, Game Commission Southwest Region Law Enforcement Supervisor. “In recent years, we’ve been able to incorporate new technologies, such as the use of newly-developed surveillance equipment, to our list of tools used to solve these types of crimes.

“As similar sites have been known to be booby-trapped, this type of activity poses a safety threat to both the public that use our State Game Lands, and agency employees, such as Food and Cover Corps workers, who work there on a daily basis developing food plots and wildlife habitat.”

After consulting the Washington County District Attorney’s office and the Washington County Drug Task Force, WCO Sitler filed charges against Joshua M. Morrissey, 35, of Cuddy, and Robert N. Hoff, 32, of Cannonsburg. Arrest warrants were issued for these defendants charging them with felony counts under Title 35 (The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, Section 780-113 (a) 30) for the manufacture, delivery, possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, and (Section 780-113 (a) 16) possession of a controlled substance.

Additionally, WCO Sitler filed charges under Title 34 (Game and Wildlife Code) the unlawful planting of marijuana on State Game Lands.

All charges were filed before District Judge Gary Havelka, of Burgettstown.

Both Morrissey and Hoff were arraigned and lodged in the Washington County prison pending the posting of bond. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Oct. 29, on all charges

blackballed · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:19 pm Post subject:

zaa, you have to know the observer distorter only prints what they want.most of them probably think pot should be legal,not to fear washington co.will just give these law breakers 6 mo probation.BB

Brant · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:09 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the hearty laugh, BB.
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SSSS · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:12 pm Post subject:

There was a time when you LIKED the lenient sentences.
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blackballed · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 10:27 pm Post subject:

AND WHEN WAS THAT MR KNOW IT ALL ..BB

Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

Classic bb. Always trying to pick a fight.
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SSSS · Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 12:26 am Post subject:

BB really should choose his battles wisely. Tell you what BB-get those warrants against you cleaned up and report back on the county sentencing policy.
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dick · Journeyman Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 3134

What a sad story Crying or Very sad

Wildlife Conservation Officers have a job to do. But if there are budget cuts to be made (and there are), here would be a great place to start.

James Lorch
Seth Mesoras
Richard Joyce
Dan Sitler
Gary Fujak
Tom Fazi
Doug Dunkerley
Rod Burns
Randy Crago
Scott Tomlinson
Matt Kramer
Beth Fife

They are obviously over staffed.
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Proud Member NDA

Its okay to eat fish because they don't have any feelings.

Puff. Puff. Give.

Brant · Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 8:57 am Post subject:

Yeah, with that crew, I think they only had to pull up about two plants each.
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The priests of the different religious sects dread the advance of science as witches do the approach of daylight.

- Thomas Jefferson

blackballed · Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 10:50 am Post subject:

yea, i guess your right ssss, thats the problem with me i have never picked my battles wisely,and your right again im sure i would get socked out the box by the magistrates that would hang me for owing money due to the fine officers in their districts who stopped me for no other reason than who i was.i should have kept my mouth shut about the one who picked up the prostitutes,and visited the drug dealers late at night and was fired from the drug task force,and if i had to do it all over again,i sure would not have caused trouble over the one who beat the shit out of someone who was not resisting arrest YOU KNOW THE REASON CITIZENS MAKING A DIFFERENCE WAS FORMED by the former mayor and the naacp .yea if i had to change a thing ABOUT MY BATTLES I WOULD NOT.see im paying on those fines, and money rules the world.LOL BB..buy the way its so nice to drive down the street not knowing if a cop going to wave to you,or turn around write you up while their laughing .its also nice working in the community where what your doing is welcomed,and not done away with because of who you are.every time spossey cut my hair he would say be careful.CAREFUL OF WHAT YOU SAY AND WHO YOU PISS OFF,which till this day i could give a shit less..

dick · Journeyman Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 3134

So you ratted out guys for getting laid and getting high? And you're wondering why they don't like you?

Pic of double B:

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Proud Member NDA

Its okay to eat fish because they don't have any feelings.

Puff. Puff. Give.

SSSS · Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 2:07 pm Post subject:

BB-you tell only part of the story here. You spent most of your adult life breaking the law, then when you tried to come across as the great white hope of Washington with your crime watch you had the nerve to act surprised that no one took you seriously.

Every cop in the area knew you did not have a valid license, and you drove a red and white van with your name on the side-gee I wonder how they came up with probable cause to pull you over????
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blackballed · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:53 am Post subject:

great white hope..hmmmBB

SSSS · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:51 pm Post subject:

another prolific post by the great BB !!! Laughing

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2aa · Amature Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 158

Back to the original topic. There is one WCO for each County and the Game Commission is self sufficient and solvent. There is no state funding. Overstaffed? Good place to start cutting? As usual, off the mark.