DOVER – DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested a Smyrna man Feb. 18 for multiple felony firearms charges and deer poaching following an investigation into illegal deer hunting.
Melvin J. Durand, 65, was charged with 19 counts of possession, purchase, ownership or control of a firearm or ammunition by a person prohibited for prior violent crime or felony; one count of possession, purchase, ownership or control of a deadly weapon by a person prohibited for prior violent crime or felony; and one count of possession or transportation of an unlawfully taken antlerless deer. Durand was arraigned at New Castle County Justice of the Peace Court 11, where he was released on an unsecured bond pending a future court appearance in the New Castle County Court of Common Pleas.
As a result of the arrest and a search of Durand’s residence, 18 firearms, ammunition, and a compound bow were seized.
Citizens are encouraged to report wildlife violations to Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580, or through the DENRP Tip smartphone app, which can be downloaded free of charge by searching “DENRP Tip” via the Google Play Store or the iTunes App Store. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030, by going online to http://de.gov/ogt, or by using the DENRP Tip app. Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.
