Jimbos
01-15-2003, 05:28 PM
By Associated Press
January 15, 2003, 4:18 PM EST
MONTICELLO, Ind. -- A man's attempt to rig a fishing tournament by retrieving prize-winning bass from a sunken cage has landed him a fine.
Danny Engleking, 40, was arrested in August after a surveillance camera showed him loading bass from the cage onto his boat during the contest on Lake Shafer, authorities said. He later claimed the contest's $300 first prize.
Under an agreement with prosecutors, a felony theft charge was dropped and Engleking pleaded guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge for claiming the prize. He will pay a $25 fine and $132 in court costs but serve no jail time.
The White County Sheriff's Department set up the camera after a passer-by reported seeing the sunken cage in a secluded tributary of the lake.
About 20 minutes into the tournament, Engleking was recorded loading five bass onto his boat from the cage, authorities said. His catch was later judged best in terms of weight.
January 15, 2003, 4:18 PM EST
MONTICELLO, Ind. -- A man's attempt to rig a fishing tournament by retrieving prize-winning bass from a sunken cage has landed him a fine.
Danny Engleking, 40, was arrested in August after a surveillance camera showed him loading bass from the cage onto his boat during the contest on Lake Shafer, authorities said. He later claimed the contest's $300 first prize.
Under an agreement with prosecutors, a felony theft charge was dropped and Engleking pleaded guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge for claiming the prize. He will pay a $25 fine and $132 in court costs but serve no jail time.
The White County Sheriff's Department set up the camera after a passer-by reported seeing the sunken cage in a secluded tributary of the lake.
About 20 minutes into the tournament, Engleking was recorded loading five bass onto his boat from the cage, authorities said. His catch was later judged best in terms of weight.