May 13, 2016 2 min read

A wildlife conservation officer filed charges against a West Finley man accused of dumping roofing shingles on hunting property in West Finley Township last year.

Melvin Devenney, 50, of 524 West Finley Road, faces 12 counts of violating control of property regulations and 11 counts of littering while hunting or furtaking after he allegedly dumped shingles on property owned by Consol Energy off Rocky Run Road.

Wildlife Conservation Officer Richard Joyce, who filed the charges, said there were dump sites on the hunter access property owned by Consol but enrolled with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, which allows hunting and trapping on it.

“We were able to link the shingles and debris to the construction business that he runs on the side,” Joyce said Friday. “There were 12 full-sized dump truck loads of shingles that had to be removed. Local sportsmen had to pay to have them removed.”

Joyce said Devenney faces fines and restitution of about $130,000, in addition to court costs.

“We need to send a clear message that this will not be tolerated,” Joyce said.

He was assisted in the investigation by township officials, Deputy Wildlife Officer Ed Ritsko and Eric Davis, wildlife officer with the state Fish and Boat Commission.

The charges were sent Monday by summons from the office of District Judge Ethan Ward. Devenney has the option to request a hearing on the charges.