The Alaska State Troopers reported the following incidents. Any charges reported are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Death Investigation
GIRDWOOD—On Sept. 13 at approximately 4:40 p.m. Troopers responded to a residence in Girdwood for a report of a death. The deceased Hal Troy Hall, 55, was located inside the residence by a family member. No foul play is suspected at this time and the investigation is on going.
Driving While License Revoked/Warrant Arrest
GIRDWOOD—Sept. 16 at approximately 6 p.m. the Troopers' Bureau of Highway Patrol, South Central Team stopped a vehicle near mile 101 of the Seward Highway for a moving violation. The operator was identified as Misty R. Alexan, 30, of Soldotna. Alexan was found to be operating the vehicle with a revoked license. Alexan was issued a misdemeanor citation to appear in court at a later date. Further investigation revealed Alexan had an outstanding warrant for her arrest. The no bail warrant was for failure to appear at a remand hearing, stemming from the original charge of DWLR. Alexan was remanded at the Anchorage Jail where she was remanded with no bail.
Driving While License Suspended
COOPER LANDING—Sept. 21 at around 6:52 p.m. Troopers stopped a Black 1997 Jeep for a moving violation near mile 43 Sterling Highway. The driver of the vehicle was contacted and identified as Brenden Strom, age 23, of Wasilla. An investigation revealed Strom was driving his vehicle with a suspended Drivers License. Strom's driver's license was suspended from July 8, 2009 to Oct. 7, 2009 for points. Strom was issued a citation to appear in court and released. The vehicle was released to a licensed driver.
Driving While License Suspended
COOPER LANDING—Sept. 22 a Trooper stopped a vehicle at mile 48 of the Sterling Highway after it was reported as a REDDI vehicle. The driver, 30 year old Nicholas Lopeman, of Wasilla, was subsequently charged with DWLR after court recorders revealed Lopeman's driver's license was currently in suspended status. Lopeman will appear in the Seward Court at a later date for the above charge. The vehicle was released to a licensed driver.
Taking a Black Bear During Closed Season
WHITTIER—Sept. 22 the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Girdwood Post cited Joshua Teply, 22, of Anchorage for shooting black bear during a closed season. Teply shot the black bear on Sept. 7 in Eshamy Bay approximately 30 miles southeast of Whittier. The black bear season for the area, Game Management Unit 6D did not open until Sept. 10. Teply's black bear hide was seized. Arraignment is set for Oct. 28 in Anchorage District Court.
Taking a Black Bear During Closed Season
WHITTIER—Sept. 23 the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Girdwood Post cited Michael Whatley, 34, of Palmer for shooting a black bear during a closed season. Whatley shot the black bear on Sept. 7 in Eshamy Bay approximately 30 miles southeast of Whittier. The black bear season for the area, Game Management Unit 6D did not open until Sept. 10. Whatley's black bear hide was seized. Arraignment is set for Oct. 28 in Anchorage District Court.
Driving While License Suspended
COOPER LANDING—Sept. 24 at 9:25 p.m., a Trooper conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at 47.5 mile of the Sterling Highway for a traffic violation. The driver 47 year old Miguel Lopez of California was subsequently charged with DWLS after a license check revealed Lopez's drivers license out of the states of California and Washington were currently in suspended status. Lopez will appear in the Seward Court at a later date for the above charge. Lopez was also issued two citations for Speeding and Failure to Show Proof of Insurance. The vehicle was released to a licensed driver.
Man pleads guilty of illegal possession of a brown bear, making false report
WHITTIER—Sept. 25, Merle Sikes, 46, of Wasilla, pled guilty in Anchorage District Court to Illegal possession of a brown bear and making a false report on a brown bear sealing form.
The Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Girdwood Post cited Sikes after an AWT investigation revealed that on May 21, 2008 he shot a brown bear in Prince William Sound. After shooting the bear Sikes called a third party in Wasilla to get a brown bear locking tag. Sikes transported the bear back to Wasilla where he used the third parties' locking tag on the bear and stated the third party shot the bear on the sealing form. Sikes was fined by the Court $6,000 with $3,000 suspended.
Sikes was also ordered to pay an additional $1,300 restitution for the illegally taken brown bear and the bear was forfeited to the State. Sikes hunting privileges were revoked in Alaska for three years with two of those years suspended. Sikes was placed on probation in Alaska for three years.
