DEC charges two North Country men in connection to alleged Jefferson County deer poaching

JEFFERSON COUNTY- Two North Country men are faced with several offenses and potential fines for allegedly poaching deer in Jefferson County.

Jonathan M. Lille, 23, and Tyler S. Monica, 20, both of Adams, NY were arrested on Friday, September 6 by New York State DEC Environmental Conservation Officers.

Both suspects are formally charged for unlawfully taking two deer in the towns of Henderson and Hounsfield last December.

Charges include the unlawful taking of big game, taking big game from a motor vehicle, taking big game from a highway, taking big game with the aid of artificial light, discharge of a firearm over a public highway, possessing a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, and taking big game during the closed season, all misdemeanor crimes.

Lille received an additional violation for trespassing on posted property.

Following up on complaints from members of the sporting community, ECO’s discovered that Lille and Monica had used artificial lights to shoot the deer from a vehicle, at night, and during the closed season.

The DEC says that local ECOs are familiar with both men, having charged them with similar offenses in the past.

In 2021, Lille pleaded guilty to three unlawful hunting charges and Monica lost his hunting license until 2023 due to similar charges.

Now, both men face up to $9,000 in criminal fines and could have their hunting licenses revoked for up to five years.

“I applaud our DEC Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigators (BECI) for their diligence and dedication over several months to investigate these defendants and hold them accountable for their crimes," said Region 6 DLE Captain Harold Barber.

"Let this serve as a reminder to the public that poaching of any kind is illegal, unethical, and against New York’s rich hunting traditions that thousands of responsible hunters participate in each year.”

NYS DEC submitted image.