Group used doughnuts to lure bears to be attacked by dogs. Two plotters just pleaded guilty Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner
Florida s Black Bears: How to stay safe around them
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A married couple accused of participating in a horrific bear abuse scheme, where the animals were hunted by packs of dogs for pleasure, have pleaded guilty.
Separately, the man and woman entered their pleas in front of Circuit Judge Anthony Tatti on Thursday.
First up was Charles L. Scarbrough, 32. Standing beside his lawyer, the Callahan man entered his plea on charges of conspiracy to commit racketeering, animal baiting and fighting, unlawful use of a two-way communicating device and unlawful taking of a black bear.
As part of his plea agreement with the statewide prosecutor s office, Scarbrough must testify truthfully against his co-defendants and cooperate with prosecutors.
His sentence, which was deferred, could be anywhere from five years of probation to 25 months in prison. If he goes to prison, then once he s released, he will serve five years on probation.
Next up was his wife, 29-year-old Hannah Weiner Scarbrough, also of Callahan. Scarbrough was ordered to serve five years and three months of probation to run concurrently on charges of unlawful taking of a black bear and unlawful use of a communication device.
According to terms of the agreement, she must pay $3,850.23 to the state for prosecution costs. She also must pay the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission $22,847 for its investigation.