A western Pennsylvania man has made headlines by once again being embroiled in a wildlife-related crime.
Chase Cominsky, 36, of Hermitage, PA first made the news last year during a walleye tournament held in Ohio. He along with his co-conspirator attempted to take the first prize of over $28,000 by stuffing their catch with weights and fish filets.
Their plan was foiled by tournament director Jason Fischer, who was immediately suspect of the overall weight of the fish considering its size. Acting on a hunch, Fischer cut open the fish in front of the crowd at Cleveland’s Gordon Park and found a number of hidden weights and filets inside.
According to search warrant affidavits, the five walleye contained a total of eight 12-ounce lead weights and two 8-ounce weights, as well as the fish filets. The pair were indicted in Cleveland on felony charges of cheating, attempted grand theft, possessing criminal tools and misdemeanor charges of unlawfully owning wild animals. The pair were also later sentenced to 10 days in jail.
Fast forward a year later and things continue to get worse for Cominsky as his web of deceit continues to catch up to him. Following a tip from someone closely connected to Cominsky, state game wardens investigated a report stating that he had taken several deer illegally last fall.
The witness stated that Cominsky had several deer mounts hanging on the walls of his home that were illegally shot at night and out of season.
Not that the accused was concerned about breaking any laws – Cominsky has not been permitted to hunt in the state of Pennsylvania since 2008 because of previous violations.
Surprise, surprise.
In total, five illegally harvested deer mounts were found along with tags belonging to a person who claims to have never shot a deer. He’s now been charged with two counts of unlawful killing or taking of big game; three counts of unlawful taking or possession of game or wildlife; two counts of unlawful acts concerning licenses and one count of violation in tagging and reporting big game kills.
Outside of the many wildlife violations, Cominsky is also making his way through the court system on forgery charges after he attempted to use a pair of fake $100 bills at a bowling alley earlier this year.
