Orange County Man Accused Of Illegally Selling 40 Pounds Of Trout

DEERPARK, NY — An Orange County resident was accused of illegally selling trout in New York State.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation police said, on Aug. 14, a Deerpark resident entered pleas of not guilty in Deerpark Town Court to charges related to the illegal commercialization of trout.

Authorities said the arraignment followed a months-long investigation stemming from a tip about someone selling trout by the Neversink River in Orange County.

Officers confirmed the operation by going to the person’s social media page where the subject had posted prices, information about fish preparation and instructions on where and when to meet for purchases.

Investigators set up an undercover operation and purchased wild trout in vacuum-sealed bags and freshly caught brook trout from the person.

Following the purchases, officers executed a search warrant at the subject’s residence and seized about 40 pounds of trout valued at $745.

Officials said it is illegal to sell trout, as well as Atlantic salmon, black bass, walleye, muskellunge and venison, in New York State.