Natural Resources Police Blotter

Maryland Natural Resources Police officers charged men in Frederick County yesterday with violations of state forestry and hunting laws.

John Wade Dyer, 36, of Culpepper, Va., was issued two citations for operating a tree expert business without a license and soliciting business without a license (false advertising). He also was ordered to cease-and-desist operations.

A natural resources officer was summoned by the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office to Ridgeview Drive in Ijamsville, where a crew from Big J’s Tree Service was working. The officer determined that Dyer was unlicensed in Maryland.

Dyer is scheduled to appear in Frederick District Court on Dec. 23. If found guilty of both charges, he could be fined a maximum of $3,000.

Earlier in the day, two men were charged with illegal hunting in the Monocacy Natural Resource Management Area.

At 10 a.m., officers saw a hunter in a wooden tree stand and knew the area was baited with corn. State law prohibits permanent stands and blinds on public hunting land. Further, the law prohibits baiting on public land.

Steven James Maggi, 53, of Hagerstown, was charged with hunting from a permanent tree stand, an offense that carries a maximum fine of $500.

Thomas Derr, 58, of Brunswick, was charged with hunting with bait, an offense punishable with a maximum fine of $500.

Both men are scheduled to appear in Frederick District Court on Dec. 23.