cheater indicted

https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/i...erman-caught-cheating-tournament-charged

Good to see

CLEVELAND -- Two anglers accused of stuffing fish with lead weights and fillets in an attempt to win thousands of dollars in an Ohio fishing tournament were indicted Wednesday on charges of attempted grand theft and other counts.

Jacob Runyan, 42, of Broadview Heights, Ohio, and Chase Cominsky, 35, of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, were indicted in Cleveland on felony charges of cheating, attempted grand theft and possessing criminal tools and misdemeanor charges of unlawfully owning wild animals. They're due to be arraigned Oct. 26.

Neither man immediately responded to voicemails seeking comment.

The cheating allegations surfaced Sept. 30 when Lake Erie Walleye Trail tournament director Jason Fischer became suspicious because Runyan and Cominsky's fish were significantly heavier than walleye of that length typically are. A crowd of people at Gordon Park in Cleveland watched Fischer cut the walleye open and announce that there were weights and walleye fillets stuffed inside.

EDITOR'S PICKS
Seems fishy: Authorities look into fishing scandal
9d
An officer from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources confiscated the fish as evidence.

Fischer also did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.

Runyan and Cominsky would have received $28,760 in prizes for winning the tournament.

According to search warrant affidavits, the five walleye contained a total of eight 12-ounce (.34 kilogram) lead weights and two 8-ounce (.23 kilogram) weights, as well as the fish fillets. Officers from ODNR, the Hermitage Police Department and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission seized a boat, trailer and fishing gear belonging to Cominsky on Tuesday in Pennsylvania. The anglers had used the boat during last month's tournament, the affidavits said.

One of the affidavits disclosed that Runyan and Cominsky were investigated by Rossford police in northwest Ohio in April after being accused of cheating in a different walleye tournament. According to a Rossford police report, an assistant Wood County prosecutor concluded that although the men might have cheated, there was not enough evidence to charge them.

Glad to hear it.

Glad to see they are being charged but no way of proving they cheated in the past

Hope it was all worth it to these eejits.

Just watched a video where the game wardens confiscated his boat. That's gotta sting a little. Loosing a boat you won by cheating.

How can they take a boat ?

Around here, they take your hunting guns if you break the law. The boat, like the gun, is a tool....

Is it just me, or does that $150,000 Ranger deep V look out-[censored]-standing BEHIND that game wardens truck?

Why didn’t Sprague get indicted for cheating?

Would!

Which officer? I had no idea.

Oh my!

idiots!

They came fully armed to deal with cheaters.

Not enough evidence in this clip.

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/pair...ting-controversy-indicted-felony-charges

Wonder if we can get a DA interested in investigating Sprague’s theft and cheating?

This blows my mind. Beautiful house, nice barn / shop for the boat, looks like he had life by the webbles. Why not just fish and enjoy the tourney?

Congrats to the prosecutors… Robby Rose received less punishment for trying to steal a $100k grand prize here in Texas. Glad to see the folks up north are throwing the book at em.

They haven't received anything yet. I'll be surprised if they get more than a slap on the wrist.

I thought Robby won like 10 boats from Basschamps, I wonder why they didn't try to go back on him for that?

big difference between cheating like the walleye fishermen did and sprague breaking a rule which apparently there was some confusion and/or question whether a rule was broken....obviously there was no intent to break the rule or MLF would have banned him from future tournaments......

such a homer for those clowns.

I had to turn in some of my hunters in colorado for an illegal elk kill.

by the time it was all over the fbi was involved (happened on federal land) and they took about 15,00.00 worth of rifles from the 2 who were guilty.

they would not fess up which rifle he had used so they took em all, 15k in 1985 dollars.

they can take anything used to aid in committing the crime, cheat while in your boat and kiss it goodbye if you get busted, they sell at auction usually.

I believe Robby Rose is the all time leading money winner in BC.

Also has anyone heard what happened to the big tall red headed lad that used to try and act as if he ran the trail?
I believe he got him a nice paid vacation in statesville. Creepy sex offender type

He got all that by cheating....

Wink wink. “An accident”

maybe the real clowns are the ones who make fun of the 80 professional tournament fishermen who increased their televsion exposure from 30 hours a year to over over 800 hours and from one network to three networks....and who share the income from Tv,advertising,sponsor and venues instead of it going into the pockets of the owners of BASS.....

That's gonna ruffle some feathers

Spague just recieved information about fishing spots on D'arbonne Lake from a non competitor, not sure that would qualify as a crime and he admitted to it and issued a statement and formal apology and he is still a BPT tour angler according to the MLF website. MLF knows this is going to happen, some local is going to walk up to a pro and start rattling off some of his better spots and the rule Sprague violated says something to the effect of you are supposed to politely ask them to stop. I'm sure it happens to every pro out there and what do you do when you run into the guy that just won't shut up? Sprague probably fished the spots in question more than likely and that is what got him DQ'd. His mistake was probably going to them, but again we don't know that either.

Sadly nothing was ever done to the high schoolers that cheated this past summer at Eagle Mountain.

And why are so many of the non-owner anglers leaving? When’s the last time you heard about them having anything on a major network? They are a sinking ship with too many money grubbers taking a piece of the pie.

There was never any confusion on wether Sprague violated a rule, he 100% did and it was with a BASSMASTER angler.

Their last event had guys breaking rules too, one would think the BPT would know state laws and let the anglers know what they could NOT do from normal times.









Why would that ruffle feathers, none of this affects any of us. It’s just comical for someone to attempt to defend cheating.

Sprague had his conversation with another professional angler, from another league. It wasn’t JoeBlow average guy.

How many of them have done that?

here is MLF TV schedule for rest of October,November and December...read someplace that it was the number 1 ranked outdoor show so doesn't sound like their ship is sinking ......
Oct
8
2022 TITLE Qualifying Group A Day 1
9:00am-11:00am (ET) on CBS Sports Network
Oct
9
2022 TITLE Qualifying Group A Day 1
2:00pm-4:00pm (ET) on Sportsman Channel
Oct
15
Bass Pro Tour: 2022 Stage Four Championship Round – Lake of the Ozarks
7:00am-9:00am (ET) on Discovery
Oct
15
2022 TITLE Qualifying Group B Day 1
9:00am-11:00am (ET) on CBS Sports Network
Oct
16
2022 TITLE Qualifying Group B Day 1
2:00pm-4:00pm (ET) on Sportsman Channel
Oct
22
Bass Pro Tour: 2022 Stage Five Knockout Round – Watts Bar
7:00am-9:00am (ET) on Discovery
Oct
22
2022 TITLE Qualifying Group A Day 2
9:00am-11:00am (ET) on CBS Sports Network
Oct
23
2022 TITLE Qualifying Group A Day 2
2:00pm-4:00pm (ET) on Sportsman Channel
Oct
29
Bass Pro Tour: 2022 Stage Five Championship Round – Watts Bar
7:00am-9:00am (ET) on Discovery
Oct
29
2022 TITLE Qualifying Group B Day 2
9:00am-11:00am (ET) on CBS Sports Network
Oct
30
2022 TITLE Qualifying Group B Day 2
2:00pm-4:00pm (ET) on Sportsman Channel
November
Nov
5
Bass Pro Tour: 2022 Stage Six Championship Round – Cayuga Lake
7:00am-9:00am (ET) on Discovery
Nov
5
2022 TITLE Knockout Round
9:00am-11:00am (ET) on CBS Sports Network
Nov
6
2022 TITLE Knockout Round
2:00pm-4:00pm (ET) on Sportsman Channel
Nov
12
Bass Pro Tour: 2022 Stage Seven Championship Round – Mille Lacs Lake
7:00am-9:00am (ET) on Discovery
Nov
12
2022 TITLE Championship Round
9:00am-11:00am (ET) on CBS Sports Network
Nov
13
2022 TITLE Championship Round
2:00pm-4:00pm (ET) on Sportsman Channel
Nov
19
Bass Pro Tour: 2022 Heavy Hitters Qualifying Group A Day 1 – Lake Palestine (Re-Air)
7:00am-9:00am (ET) on Discovery
Nov
19
2022 TITLE Qualifying Group A Day 1 (Re-Air)
9:00am-11:00am (ET) on CBS Sports Network
Nov
20
2022 TITLE Qualifying Group A Day 1 (Re-Air)
2:00pm-4:00pm (ET) on Sportsman Channel
Nov
26
Bass Pro Tour: 2022 Heavy Hitters Qualifying Group B Day 1 – Lake Palestine (Re-Air)
7:00am-9:00am (ET) on Discovery
Nov
26
2022 TITLE Qualifying Group B Day 1 (Re-Air)
9:00am-11:00am (ET) on CBS Sports Network
Nov
27
2022 TITLE Qualifying Group B Day 1 (Re-Air)
2:00pm-4:00pm (ET) on Sportsman Channel
December
Dec
3
Bass Pro Tour: 2022 Heavy Hitters Qualifying Group A Day 2 – Lake Palestine (Re-Air)
7:00am-9:00am (ET) on Discovery
Dec
3
2022 TITLE Qualifying Group A Day 2 (Re-Air)
9:00am-11:00am (ET) on CBS Sports Network
Dec
4
2022 TITLE Qualifying Group A Day 2 (Re-Air)
2:00pm-4:00pm (ET) on Sportsman Channel
Dec
10
Bass Pro Tour: 2022 Heavy Hitters Qualifying Group B Day 2 – Lake Palestine (Re-Air)
7:00am-9:00am (ET) on Discovery
Dec
10
2022 TITLE Qualifying Group B Day 2 (Re-Air)
9:00am-11:00am (ET) on CBS Sports Network
Dec
11
2022 TITLE Qualifying Group B Day 2 (Re-Air)
2:00pm-4:00pm (ET) on Sportsman Channel
Dec
17
Bass Pro Tour: 2022 Heavy Hitters Knockout Round – Lake Palestine (Re-Air)
7:00am-9:00am (ET) on Discovery
Dec
17
2022 TITLE Knockout Round (Re-Air)
9:00am-11:00am (ET) on CBS Sports Network
Dec
18
2022 TITLE Knockout Round (Re-Air)
2:00pm-4:00pm (ET) on Sportsman Channel
Dec
22
Major League Fishing’s Heavy Hitters 2022 Special
2:00pm-3:00pm (ET) on CBS
Dec
24
Bass Pro Tour: 2022 Heavy Hitters Championship Round – Lake Palestine (Re-Air)
7:00am-9:00am (ET) on Discovery
Dec
24
2022 TITLE Championship Round (Re-Air)

And why are so many of the non-owner anglers leaving? When’s the last time you heard about them having anything on a major network? They are a sinking ship with too many money grubbers taking a piece of the pie.

There was never any confusion on wether Sprague violated a rule, he 100% did and it was with a BASSMASTER angler.

Their last event had guys breaking rules too, one would think the BPT would know state laws and let the anglers know what they could NOT do from normal times.








I was talking about the mlf/bass comment he made. You know the one that ruffled your feathers

I guess not, since I have no clue what you’re talking about. Best I can figure, it was the “pay going into the BASS owners pocket”. I guess you and Bear don’t realize that the anglers aren’t getting paid at BPT, it’s half owned by Kroenke (or however his name is spelt) and the other 80 anglers are NOT the other half owners.

Why wouldn’t money go into the owners pocket book? Do you not know how a business works?

Beartrap, 1 showing on a major network and that is heavy hitters. Do you know why they had to get rid of the TW Pro Circuit Tour? Do you know why the BPT had to start charging entry fees again?





Fishing is one of the lowest rated events on TV, even throwing darts gets a higher rating.

Now, this new team concept could be the only thing to save them. Without it, they are done…

Losing 2 mil a year is the definition of failing

How is knowingly and purposely breaking a tournament rule, in order to gain an advantage over your competition, not cheating? Cheating is cheating, there’s no such thing as kind of breaking a rule. He cheated on purpose and knew what he was doing. It wasn’t casual conversation, he got waypoints!

What does this have to do with a cheater cheating?

You know who defends crooks?

Nope, Sprague cheated and should be banned

Since it was "won" by cheating, it's basically stolen property and the GWs were simply recovering it

Hey Karen, while you are at it add Jacob Wheeler and Dustin Connell to your list.

So now you are a Karen if you don't like cheaters? I guess I'm a Karen

If I’ve ever known a Karen. It’s you. Yes I actually know you. Been in your house.

This makes it sound like Sprague had someone just casually walk up to him and offer up information. From the texts I read this is a gross understatement. Sprague welcomed the info and did nothing to shut the guy down. He intentionally broke the rules for a competitive advantage and that is the definition of cheating.

Had he turned himself in, the apology would mean a little bit more. After the fact, it seems that he is only sorry he got caught.

I remember many many years ago I filled my boat with water to get under a bridge while prefishing and you said “I’ll call the Td and tell him you exceeded the weight on your boat”

But I’m Karen for disliking a blatant cheater.

As to the point. Connell and wheeler can be charged too if they’re cheating, I’m all for it.

Pretty sure the BPT won’t do anything to potentially run off any of the young guys, they need all the fans that they can get.

does anybody know the real circumstances behind Sprague's disqualification?....I read someplace that it was a situation where he broke the rules because he wasn't aware there was a deadline on when you could solicit information for an upcoming tournament...he issued an apology and forfeited his winnings and no further action was taken......the fact that he is still fishing MLF leads me to believe there was no intent to cheat but i would like to hear what really happened....

Ignorance of the rules is acceptable but ignorance of the law is not?


Listen to Dunkin’s podcast 174. He has another BPT angler on and they discuss it some.

What I gathered was the text that the world saw were from an elite angler. The angler asked him if there was a deadline. He said there was not. No way a professional angler does not know the information rules. I know them for whatever I fish. He pleaded dumb. But that’s bs.

When the elite angler found out he was lied to by Sprague he notified mlf. Mlf sat on it and did nothing. Said angler was like oh it’s like that. Guess I’m gonna release these text. Then and only then did mlf do anything about it.

Shady angler shady organization.

KVD got disqualified for letting his son drive the boat during practice and greg hackney was disqualified for fishing in off limits area.....by your line of reasoning this makes both of them cheaters,shady anglers and BASS a shady organization....obviously this isn't the case and makes it pretty obvious that your comments are nothing but "whiny boy" attempts to discredit MLF and one of their fishermen....

Lol, KVD & Hackney were disqualified right then, on the spot, not weeks later and only after the story was aired to the public. This is what you just don’t get, BPT sat on the story and knew about the infraction. Sprague didn’t just give up his money… I swear you must be Spragues dad or grandpa and you don’t seem to follow tournament fishing, as much as you think you do.

I don't know what happened and and neither do you but one thing I am certain of and that is MLF is made up of 80 of the best and most reputable fishermen in the country and they would not tolerate someone who intentionally cheated to continue to fish their tournaments..

And yet they continue to let anglers do shady things with little to no consequence. Connell and Wheeler broke a MN state law using two lines. That should be an automatic DQ, except in the good ole boy system that is MLF. They continue to change rules to keep certain anglers happy. You could possibly be the biggest homer I have seen on here and I am not quite sure why, it is like you think those guys get on here and read our comments and you are hoping they will message you and be your friend or something pathetic.

KVD trying to get the upper hand and hire a pro boat driver to win money.

Man you’re sharp as a bowling ball.

I have no connection whatsoever to MLF other than I enjoy watching them compete on various lakes around the country.You detractors of MLF need to realize that for 40 years pro fishermen had very little TV exposure and except for a small percentage,most fishermen were struggling to make ends meet...the fishermen were the main attraction for the BASS classic and yet received none of the Expo,venue or TV show income and were still fishing for the own entry fees...it took some courage and foresight for 80 fishermen to break away from BASS,and start their own trail.....

Hey mousetrap. We’re talking about cheating.

Most of them were duped with promises of everything you just said. The smart ones are getting out because they got screwed and promised a bunch of garbage that never happened. Not to mention MLF allows shady stuff to go on in their organization. Their greed is on display big time.

In three years,six of the original 80 leaving is not exactly a mass exodus.....and....we don't know what was promised but over 800 hours of TV exposure on 3 networks is a huge increase over what they had previously not to mention they are the #1 rated outdoor TV show... weekend and next level fishermen can also be thankful that MLF was able to rescue FLW from going under and provide opportunities to compete...instead of whining and yapping about the way MLF handled an isolated and questionable rules infraction (not cheating) incident and look at the big picture....and the big picture is that with the exploding popularity of high school and college fishing,MLF came along at the right time not only to take over a failing FLW and keep weekend fishing opportunities alive but to expand TV coverage which will ultimately provide far more opportunities for young people to make living as pro fishermen.....

"provide far more opportunities for young people to make living as pro fishermen....."


This is the problem with our sport.

Any kid who gets into fishing to make a living is doing it for the wrong reason. And the fact that we have so many people pushing this narrative is a tragedy. Making a living in this industry is 1 in a million without being independently wealthy. MLF is consistently showing the younger generation it is okay to push the rules and constantly allow questionable things to happen in the name of money. Greed is ruining this sport, and MLF is right at the center of greed.

All I know for sure is apparently MLF cleared him because he is still on the circuit, if he'd done this with criminal intent he probably wouldn;t be there right now. Again I'm sure they are privy to exact details that we don't know.

Hey Beartrap, hate to break the news to you, but they killed off the FLW (or TW Pro Circuit) circuit this year. It’s gone, kapoot, non-existent now. What you are praising, has completely taken away an entire fishing tour and guys have no “pro” place to go. They no longer have an avenue for “weekend anglers” to get the chance to get on the BPT, it’s a freaking joke now. It would be nice if you’d keep up with the industry, if you’re going to make comments.


Several of the BPT guys have come out and bashed Sprague and the organization for how they handled the cheating. Ogles and Beartrap have no clue what they are talking about, but that’s typical.

[quote=grout-scout]Hey Beartrap, hate to break the news to you, but they killed off the FLW (or TW Pro Circuit) circuit this year. It’s gone, kapoot, non-existent now. What you are praising, has completely taken away an entire fishing tour and guys have no “pro” place to go.


Several of the BPT guys have come out and bashed Sprague and the organization for how they handled the cheating. Ogles and Beartrap have no clue what they are talking about, but that’s typical.


OK since I don't know what the heck I'm talking about WHY IS HE STILL THERE. Are you basing what you are saying from having direct insight into the situation none of the rest of us are priviy too, or are you running off rumors? Third hand information?

Have you seen the TV schedule for 2023?

Ogles, he was DQ’d weeks after his win and had to return his winnings. He broke a BPT rule, he didn’t break a state/federal law, why would they ban him for that? It’s the same thing as what BTrap mentioned with KVD, Hackney, Monroe, Swindle….they broke a tournament rule, none were kicked out of the organization. Now the difference was, the BPT tried to sweep it under the rug. He wasn’t reprimanded until it was put onto social media by Randy Flowers.



But then we could say, there were multiple state laws broken in Minnesota and guys still weren’t disqualified. The BPT is a joke at best. They will do nothing to anyone, that they fear will leave their organization. At least BASS has the balls to DQ anyone that breaks a rule/law.

Were you sitting in the meeting when all this was discussed between Sprague and BPT?

go to their website and they have consolidated the tackle wearhouse pro series and invitationals into one series.in addition they have the toyota series,phoenix bass fishing tour,abu garcia college tour and high school tour....

Oh my goodness, what are you not understanding about this?

James Watson and Zach Birge have both given interviews about the incident, the anglers at the BPT were pissed about how this was handled. Now, tell me what you’re not comprehending…nobody other than Nate Wellman and Tony Christenson have even been kicked off of a professional bass tournament circuit.

The invitationals are just that, invite only, how does that help guys?

Sorry but It's stil second hand information. You weren't there........

Dude the information is out there. You can choose to live with you’re head up your rear but don’t tell me the air is better there.

What is second hand info? The text between Sprague and the BASS pro were screenshot and posted. Help me understand what you’re talking about here.

check out their website and you can see who qualifies and how you can qualify through phoenix or toyota series .......no different than BASS....you can't just walk up and hand them a check to get into the Elites or Tackle Warehouse level tournys...

Text? Think about that. That's a whole diffrent ball game from what is being discussed here. Did he ask or was he told? In my world if someone sends you a text an you read it, you can't unread it......

There is no more Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit.

I swear a person almost couldn’t make this up, you are cracking me up. Sprague asked another guy for info, after the cut off date and the entire conversation was screenshot. Are you on drugs?

Have you not read the texts? And your on here talking about it?

I haven't read any text period. Anybody got access to them? Even with text there has to be more to it. He's still a part of BPT in full standing apparently. The cheap way out is to say is to start pointing fingers and rideculing folks or accusing the MLF of going light on him and honestly when I was younger I'd have jumped on him with both feet, but something age has taught me, thank God for that wisdom, any situation like this, whether it be someone else or my own personal business everybody has THEIR side of the story. You interview everyone involved in this and I guaranty you may get some similar facts from all of the involved but their actual story may swing wildly from one person to another, everytime I'm involved in something like this it always turns out that way, It's just human nature to fatten up a story to favor your position in a situation. Also from a Biblical perspective I'm learing more and more not to judge others without hearing the whole story but then being forgiving, no I am not here to defend Mr. Sprague, never met the gentlemen but I'm going to treat him just like I'd treat all of you with respect. If Mr. Sprague turns out to be someone that needs to be banned from competition one thing is for sure time is going tell the tale and either root him out or he'll stay and keep fishing. We refer to it as karma but the Good Lord has his hand in it too.

Dude for the billionth time, he would NOT get BANNED for a rules violation! I simply cannot fathom why you can’t grasp that. He is what he got, he was disqualified and his winnings (money) were taken away. Please for the love of God, understand this.


I give up, understand it or don’t; because obviously you’re not going to anyways

Did I wear you out.......

You're starting to get into the Seminole Wind fanboy category with all the excuses and hyperbole of FLWMILF/ BPT... Just sayin'... Dan

I get the whole "show of force" deal but 5 LEO's, with one standing point armed to the hilt???... Call the guy and tell him you're coming, have two officers arrive a little early and knock on the door and speak to the guy, then call in the truck to haul the boat away... This cops/ dnr officers showing up sirens blaring, with lights on and guns drawn has to stop!!!... The two guys didn't commit a violent crime, looked pretty meek in every video I watched so what made law enforcement think there might be a shootout at the OK Corral???... I get the you never know, but I think it's an unnecessary show of force... Dan

I think when you do something like that and within 48 hours its traveled the entire globe, aired on Fox News, can, TMZ, etc etc you have to be prepared for anything because of the mental state the defendants could possibly be in. If the guy came out and got violent and they were not prepared then who would look like the idiot? The entire world hates these people...

They could have just shot the offenders and confiscated the boat. Nobody could get hurt that way

I would be fine with that

Efficiency

That's why I said call them, maybe include their lawyers on the call. Like I said, send a couple of LEO's before the DNR vehicle shows up to gauge their temperature... I'd bet these two are pretty much living with the blinds closed, TV off, hiding under the kitchen table... I guess we've militarized our local law enforcement they gotta show it off sometimes... Don't get me wrong these two should pay a huge price but they're not the Taliban... Dan

I thought the crowd was gonna kill those guys lol

I don't have a problem with the number of officers that they decided to take. Did they do anything illegal or unprofessional because of the number? Did the outcome happen peacefully with no injuries? Why should you care? In todays society any minor infraction can become lethal in a hurry. None of us were privy to any of the reasons that they felt that it was necessary so why Monday morning QB them? Everyone went home safely and they will get their day in court to tell their side. Pretty much exactly how things should go.

I just think its an unnecessary show of force that's all... Had to be a little unnerving for the neighbors as well... Dan

It was a Felony so they go out in force.. We have way to officers getting killed.

I agree with this. Those 2 clowns had already proven to be untrustworthy. If they knew the hammer was about to drop on them they could have been hammered drunk when the LEO's showed up to make the arrest. Folks are unpredictable when put into a corner like that.

If any of you think it was an unnecessary show of force I suggest you think for a minute and imagine yourself in the SECOND PLACE position of the events they won.

Hey Dan,

not gonna argue your belief on this, its your belief an this is still America! after 23 years and going in Law Enforcement I have yet to be shot at on a search warrant and that's due to being prepared and a uniform approach to each and every call for service. Any felony warrant service is prepared and worked out behind closed doors well prior to the event. There are threat assessments and all sorts of vetting that takes place that i even don't know about. Yes, I agree that these guys may have just been fisherman that chose to cheat and most likely peaceful dudes, but their entire make believe word had come crashing down on top of them. I don't take statements like yours as a bash on law enforcement but it does sting that it even has to come up at all. Those officers have families and those officers do their jobs professionally and want to go home at the end of their day. There is no such thing as a routine warrant. when an officer thinks that, that's when bad things happen. From reading some of your posts, you don't sound like a guy that's just trolling. Go to your local sheriffs office or municipal PD and go ride out. Take a first hand look at what they do and what it takes to simply serve a felony warrant. Your tax dollars go to not only the equipment that each officer uses but the officers training and so much more!

You have the right to think its a unnecessary show of force and I have fought for my country and my state to make sure you keep that right! just go be involved and see for yourself! that's a right you have also, being a tax payer!

The DNR did the best they could and did it with zero unprofessional issues or unnecessary uses of force and I commend them for that!

This whole ordeal sucks nutz and I do think it will bring cheaters into the limelight and cause other anglers to say something sooner when they suspect foul play.

Very well said! Thank you for what you and the other LEO's do every day!

About as clear as you can make it. Well put Cubby.

Those idiots are lucky that the tournament director had his TD hat on instead of his Police hat (he is a police sergeant). I wish those two would've been arrested right then and there, in front of every other angler! They (in my opinion) should have been handcuffed and a patrol or DNR Ofc. called to take them to jail. They could have taken their boat and all equipment at the same time too.

you've likely never been a LEO, military or firefighter or in any kind of position to actually lose your life or save the lives of others, you probably ride a desk and tap on keys

never a time to go into any situation where lives could be at risk "kind of" equipped or "ill" prepared

If you did what they did, you'd understand

“Call the guy and tell him your coming…”? Why not save taxpayer dollars and politely request, at the accused’s convenience, that they deliver all the items sought? Tactical planning dictates the necessary resources given the situation as command recognizes and attempts to mitigate the risks of knowingly placing lives in danger…

Thank you for the experienced point of view on this. I hope to meet you one day in person. Lunch will be on me!

Thank you for your service!

No bashing intended... No trolling here... I hope and wish and pray every LEO makes it home at the end of the day...




Maybe if you called their lawyers and told them to turn it over by the end of business they would have brought it to the DNR HQ's. They could have saved taxpayers some money and those officers could have been doing something more productive... If they failed to comply then go in and get it, any means necessary... You watched the video I'm sure, one of the cheaters stood there and didn't say or do anything and the other ran and locked himself in their truck. Sure didn't act like tough guys.. I get whole show of force tactic, but there has to be other ways. Different circumstances, different tactic... Remember when President Trump's residence was raided???... Did they really need 22 agents? What makes anyone think these two are going to go down in a blaze of bullets???... Dan

I can't believe you compared the Cheaters to the Trump raid. The cheaters knew when to shut up or get the stuffing beat out of them. Also you said save the taxpayers money.. They were doing their job and that is to arrest criminals.
I guess you like the idea of putting an ankle monitor on them and then let them go. Just ask how that worked for the medical staff at Methodist in Dallas.
Trump never charged with any crime...and you know that Trump's stuff if political.
Cheaters charged with a Felony.

I'd rather see an "unnecessary show of force", than officers be unprepared.

In industry the most common injuries aren't when you are doing something dangerous, its when you are doing something that you've done countless times and complacency sets in.

I bet some of the most dangerous interactions for officers is when you aren't expecting violence.

It gets dangerous when you underestimate your target. Better to be prepared and not need the extra force you brought with you.

I'm for anything that gets these guys back home safe.

I'm sure police arranged adequate & required backup. Methodist is on AG office. Trump is national security, refusing to return for over a year & 22 officers required to secure & search large area.

I like how the officers “could have been doing something more productive”

Favorite line of anti police folks

Not the AG... The DA and the parole office. The screwed this one up..

Well, maybe they didnt act like tough guys because of the show of force. I could ask your question back to you. What makes you so sure thatbthese twp wouldnt have gone down in a blaze of bullets? If you havent been a police officer before then maybe you should just let them do their job how they are trained and stop Monday morning QBing them. They had a job to do and they performed it beautifully. I have served many warrants in my career and each one the suspect acts differently and there is no ryhme or reason to it.

I would bet you dont use all of your tackle and lures in your boat, each time you go fishing. Why do you carry more than you actually need. Why not carry the minimum and if you need more then go home and get more?

Why the hostility???... I ask a simple question... Dan

Whoa settle down!!!... I hope these two rot in jail but be all know they'll be out having beers and yucking it up before all is said and done... It doesn't matter if it's political or not... All I asked is why send in Seal Team 6 when in my opinion a simple call to the lawyers would have yielded the same results... Dan

Have you seen the crime rate in Cleveland???... I'm as PRO POLICE as anyone on the TFF. I just don't see how this makes anyone look good... Dan

you really are clueless about law enforcement.. I have family in law enforcement and have been on over 75 ride a longs.. You need to go and do a ride along and really see what it is like.. It will open your eyes.

Been there, done that... After I graduated from college I seriously considered it as a profession... Had a BIL in the ranks... Sorry I ruffled a few feathers... Dan

your "yankee" is showing

There was no hostility meant. Just have a hard time believing that anyone suggests they handled it wrong when it was a peaceful conclusion and nobody had any rights violated.

So if they would have cheated in a big tournament in Texas what would the outcome be for them ?

Well so far those "Yankee's" have been much tougher than their southern counterparts... The cheaters have been indicted on felony charges and had their boat confiscated. Whatever happened to Rose or Long???... Dan