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(Undated) -- Four eastern Iowans are charged with hunting related violations after a six-month deer poaching investigation. Larry Jones, Shane Yarrington, and Tania Holdren, all of Cedar Rapids, along with Steve Sinnett of Swisher are accused of a long list of hunting violations over several years in Johnson and Linn counties. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources started investigating after getting a tip that a buck was unlawfully shot on private property in Johnson County in December 2020.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resource says investigators learned of a variety of deer poaching violations over several years. Multiple violations occurred in 2020 including: hunting out of season, hunting without proper licenses, wanton waste of wildlife, over limiting, unlawful method of take, tagging and reporting violations, illegal waterfowl hunting, and felon in possession of a firearm. The case resulted in a total of one felony weapons charge, 57 hunting related charges, and multiple written warnings to a hunting group made up of four individuals.
Larry Jones, a convicted felon, pleaded guilty to 10 hunting related charges and is awaiting trial for a felony weapons charge in Linn County. Jones faces 30 additional hunting related charges in Johnson County and is currently awaiting trial. Steve Sinnett pleaded guilty to 13 hunting related charges in Johnson County. Tania Holdren pleaded guilty to four deer hunting charges in Johnson County. Shane Yarrington pleaded guilty to one deer hunting charge in Johnson County.
Iowa DNR conservation officers encourage the public to continue to use the Turn In Poachers hotline (1-800-532-2020) and website (https://programs.iowadnr.gov/tip/) to report fish and wildlife crimes.