A more than two-month investigation into a hunting-related shooting incident by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Investigators from the Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigations (BECI), DEC Environmental Police Officers, and the Washington County Sheriff's Office has resulted in two men arrested on a total of eight charges.
On Tuesday, Feb. 20, Shane Jarvis, 39, of Argyle, NY, and Kenneth Fish, 43, of Moreau, NY, were arrested by DEC BECI investigators on charges related to a Nov. 25, 2017, incident in the town of Hebron, Washington County.
Environmental Conservation Police Investigators and Officers investigated the incident with Washington County Sheriff's Department and the Washington County District Attorney. The New York State Police Forensic Crime Center in Albany assisted the investigation.
Based on the investigation, Environmental Conservation Police alleged that the two men and a third hunter were trespassing on private property hunting deer when Jarvis discharged his firearm resulting in significant damage to Fish's hand.
Environmental Conservation Police charged Jarvis with five counts: One felony - assault, second degree; three misdemeanors - reckless endangerment second degree, falsely reporting an incident, third degree, and making a false written statement; and one violation - trespassing. Jarvis faces maximum penalties of up to of seven years in state prison and fines of $5,000 for the felony and $3,000 for the misdemeanors.
Environmental Conservation Police charged Fish with three counts: Two misdemeanors - hindering prosecution in the third degree and falsely reporting an incident in the third degree; and one violation - trespassing. Fish faces a maximum penalty of one year in jail and fines of $2,000 for the misdemeanor charges.
The two men were arraigned at the Centralized Arraignment Part at the Washington County Sheriff's Office in Fort Edward. Both entered pleas of not guilty. Jarvis was remanded to Washington County Jail pending $10,000 bail / $20,000 bond. Fish was remanded to Washington County Jail pending $10,000 bail / $20,000 bond.
The next court date is March 19 in Town of Hebron Court. Both men could lose their hunting licenses pending the outcome of the case.
