JUSTICE! 'Weights in fish' fishermen sentenced to 10 days in jail, required to forfeit boat: The two Lake Erie fishermen who touched off a national story when they stuffed weights in...

Barnacles Loc: Northern California

The two Lake Erie fishermen who touched off a national story when they stuffed weights in fish during a tournament last fall have been sentenced to 10 days in jail as well as a suspension of their fishing license. They will also forfeit the $130,000 boat they won in prior fishing tournaments.

Jacob Runyan, 43, and Chase Cominsky, 36, were caught after fishing in the Lake Erie Walleye Trail tournament last September. The duo had drawn some suspicion throughout the prior months for their unexpectedly bountiful run of heavy fish in previous tournaments. Among their winnings was the fishing boat used during the tournament, a boat with an estimated worth of $130,000.

When they brought their catch in to be weighed, the Lake Erie Walleye Trail tournament director noticed that the fish appeared to weigh much more than fish of that size ought to weigh. He cut open the fish, and as filets and lead weights spilled out, the official called out, "We got weights in fish!"

In all, 10 weights were stuffed inside the walleyes, eight weighing 12 ounces and two weighing eight ounces. Police responded to the scene, and the two were ordered to leave the area. Had they won, they would have taken home a total prize of $28,760.

Soon afterward, the duo was arrested and the boat seized. This past March, both men pleaded guilty to one count of cheating, a felony, and one count of unlawful ownership of wild animals.

In addition to the jail sentence and the forfeiture, the two will be serving 1 1/2 years' probation and will be subject to the maximum fishing license suspension possible.

“I have no doubt that these two crooks cheated in multiple tournaments over the last several years. Unfortunately, we can only hold them accountable for what they did on September 30, 2022,” said Cuyahoga County prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley. “Although these two deserve to have their fishing license suspended for life, the law only allows a maximum of three years. These two should be banned from every fishing tournament for life.”

Jer Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸

Barnacles wrote:

The two Lake Erie fishermen who touched off a national story when they stuffed weights in fish during a tournament last fall have been sentenced to 10 days in jail as well as a suspension of their fishing license. They will also forfeit the $130,000 boat they won in prior fishing tournaments.

Jacob Runyan, 43, and Chase Cominsky, 36, were caught after fishing in the Lake Erie Walleye Trail tournament last September. The duo had drawn some suspicion throughout the prior months for their unexpectedly bountiful run of heavy fish in previous tournaments. Among their winnings was the fishing boat used during the tournament, a boat with an estimated worth of $130,000.

When they brought their catch in to be weighed, the Lake Erie Walleye Trail tournament director noticed that the fish appeared to weigh much more than fish of that size ought to weigh. He cut open the fish, and as filets and lead weights spilled out, the official called out, "We got weights in fish!"

In all, 10 weights were stuffed inside the walleyes, eight weighing 12 ounces and two weighing eight ounces. Police responded to the scene, and the two were ordered to leave the area. Had they won, they would have taken home a total prize of $28,760.

Soon afterward, the duo was arrested and the boat seized. This past March, both men pleaded guilty to one count of cheating, a felony, and one count of unlawful ownership of wild animals.

In addition to the jail sentence and the forfeiture, the two will be serving 1 1/2 years' probation and will be subject to the maximum fishing license suspension possible.

“I have no doubt that these two crooks cheated in multiple tournaments over the last several years. Unfortunately, we can only hold them accountable for what they did on September 30, 2022,” said Cuyahoga County prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley. “Although these two deserve to have their fishing license suspended for life, the law only allows a maximum of three years. These two should be banned from every fishing tournament for life.”

The two Lake Erie fishermen who touched off a nati... (show quote)

To bad they didn’t lose their privileges to fish for life.

Rheatown Loc: Greeneville tn

Hopefully they learned their lesson and I’m sure they won’t be allowed in tournaments by other fishermen but you can’t expect a hanging for cheating in a fishing tournament when you got people killing and burning down cities multiple times and not pulling a night in jail

Lockman54 Loc: Alliance,Oh

Barnacles wrote:

The two Lake Erie fishermen who touched off a national story when they stuffed weights in fish during a tournament last fall have been sentenced to 10 days in jail as well as a suspension of their fishing license. They will also forfeit the $130,000 boat they won in prior fishing tournaments.

Jacob Runyan, 43, and Chase Cominsky, 36, were caught after fishing in the Lake Erie Walleye Trail tournament last September. The duo had drawn some suspicion throughout the prior months for their unexpectedly bountiful run of heavy fish in previous tournaments. Among their winnings was the fishing boat used during the tournament, a boat with an estimated worth of $130,000.

When they brought their catch in to be weighed, the Lake Erie Walleye Trail tournament director noticed that the fish appeared to weigh much more than fish of that size ought to weigh. He cut open the fish, and as filets and lead weights spilled out, the official called out, "We got weights in fish!"

In all, 10 weights were stuffed inside the walleyes, eight weighing 12 ounces and two weighing eight ounces. Police responded to the scene, and the two were ordered to leave the area. Had they won, they would have taken home a total prize of $28,760.

Soon afterward, the duo was arrested and the boat seized. This past March, both men pleaded guilty to one count of cheating, a felony, and one count of unlawful ownership of wild animals.

In addition to the jail sentence and the forfeiture, the two will be serving 1 1/2 years' probation and will be subject to the maximum fishing license suspension possible.

“I have no doubt that these two crooks cheated in multiple tournaments over the last several years. Unfortunately, we can only hold them accountable for what they did on September 30, 2022,” said Cuyahoga County prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley. “Although these two deserve to have their fishing license suspended for life, the law only allows a maximum of three years. These two should be banned from every fishing tournament for life.”

The two Lake Erie fishermen who touched off a nati... (show quote)

I was just going to post that then I saw that you beat me to it. Saved me from trying to figure out how to do it. I'm not to tech savvy when it comes to that especially on my phone.

I think after they serve their court ordered time that if they try to show up in any type of tournament that participants will be on them. Not only that tournament officials have had to revise their rules to safeguard against violators.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Barnacles wrote:

The two Lake Erie fishermen who touched off a national story when they stuffed weights in fish during a tournament last fall have been sentenced to 10 days in jail as well as a suspension of their fishing license. They will also forfeit the $130,000 boat they won in prior fishing tournaments.

Jacob Runyan, 43, and Chase Cominsky, 36, were caught after fishing in the Lake Erie Walleye Trail tournament last September. The duo had drawn some suspicion throughout the prior months for their unexpectedly bountiful run of heavy fish in previous tournaments. Among their winnings was the fishing boat used during the tournament, a boat with an estimated worth of $130,000.

When they brought their catch in to be weighed, the Lake Erie Walleye Trail tournament director noticed that the fish appeared to weigh much more than fish of that size ought to weigh. He cut open the fish, and as filets and lead weights spilled out, the official called out, "We got weights in fish!"

In all, 10 weights were stuffed inside the walleyes, eight weighing 12 ounces and two weighing eight ounces. Police responded to the scene, and the two were ordered to leave the area. Had they won, they would have taken home a total prize of $28,760.

Soon afterward, the duo was arrested and the boat seized. This past March, both men pleaded guilty to one count of cheating, a felony, and one count of unlawful ownership of wild animals.

In addition to the jail sentence and the forfeiture, the two will be serving 1 1/2 years' probation and will be subject to the maximum fishing license suspension possible.

“I have no doubt that these two crooks cheated in multiple tournaments over the last several years. Unfortunately, we can only hold them accountable for what they did on September 30, 2022,” said Cuyahoga County prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley. “Although these two deserve to have their fishing license suspended for life, the law only allows a maximum of three years. These two should be banned from every fishing tournament for life.”

The two Lake Erie fishermen who touched off a nati... (show quote)

Very doubtful this was their first offense.
Not the only ones to try it.

Read another article about a team that accused another team of cheating.
Official found they had cheated.

Then the twist
The accusers was guilty of cheating also

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

Barnacles wrote:

The two Lake Erie fishermen who touched off a national story when they stuffed weights in fish during a tournament last fall have been sentenced to 10 days in jail as well as a suspension of their fishing license. They will also forfeit the $130,000 boat they won in prior fishing tournaments.

Jacob Runyan, 43, and Chase Cominsky, 36, were caught after fishing in the Lake Erie Walleye Trail tournament last September. The duo had drawn some suspicion throughout the prior months for their unexpectedly bountiful run of heavy fish in previous tournaments. Among their winnings was the fishing boat used during the tournament, a boat with an estimated worth of $130,000.

When they brought their catch in to be weighed, the Lake Erie Walleye Trail tournament director noticed that the fish appeared to weigh much more than fish of that size ought to weigh. He cut open the fish, and as filets and lead weights spilled out, the official called out, "We got weights in fish!"

In all, 10 weights were stuffed inside the walleyes, eight weighing 12 ounces and two weighing eight ounces. Police responded to the scene, and the two were ordered to leave the area. Had they won, they would have taken home a total prize of $28,760.

Soon afterward, the duo was arrested and the boat seized. This past March, both men pleaded guilty to one count of cheating, a felony, and one count of unlawful ownership of wild animals.

In addition to the jail sentence and the forfeiture, the two will be serving 1 1/2 years' probation and will be subject to the maximum fishing license suspension possible.

“I have no doubt that these two crooks cheated in multiple tournaments over the last several years. Unfortunately, we can only hold them accountable for what they did on September 30, 2022,” said Cuyahoga County prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley. “Although these two deserve to have their fishing license suspended for life, the law only allows a maximum of three years. These two should be banned from every fishing tournament for life.”

The two Lake Erie fishermen who touched off a nati... (show quote)

My opinion is it's just a slap on the wrist for what they were up to. Makes me wonder. 👎😑👎

Papa Jack Loc: Indianapolis

Justice was served as the law allows to bad the in did nit included more jail time and a life time license band

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

Papa Jack wrote:

Justice was served as the law allows to bad the in did nit included more jail time and a life time license band

👍👍

Mikethecatcher Loc: East Greenbush,New York

A simple x-ray machine at the weigh in would put an end to that 🤷‍♂️

waterdogshale Loc: Portage county Ohio

I fished out of Fairport harbor In what was called the PWT. Fish had to be alive.Then cleaned and given to the foodbank. It was a pro am.I was the Amateur the pro would revive the fish after beating them up in live well across 3-4 footers. They had Magic pills and they would start moving gills again. Don't think pill would bring back lead Poison.

Chuck56 Loc: Texas

Barnacles wrote:

The two Lake Erie fishermen who touched off a national story when they stuffed weights in fish during a tournament last fall have been sentenced to 10 days in jail as well as a suspension of their fishing license. They will also forfeit the $130,000 boat they won in prior fishing tournaments.

Jacob Runyan, 43, and Chase Cominsky, 36, were caught after fishing in the Lake Erie Walleye Trail tournament last September. The duo had drawn some suspicion throughout the prior months for their unexpectedly bountiful run of heavy fish in previous tournaments. Among their winnings was the fishing boat used during the tournament, a boat with an estimated worth of $130,000.

When they brought their catch in to be weighed, the Lake Erie Walleye Trail tournament director noticed that the fish appeared to weigh much more than fish of that size ought to weigh. He cut open the fish, and as filets and lead weights spilled out, the official called out, "We got weights in fish!"

In all, 10 weights were stuffed inside the walleyes, eight weighing 12 ounces and two weighing eight ounces. Police responded to the scene, and the two were ordered to leave the area. Had they won, they would have taken home a total prize of $28,760.

Soon afterward, the duo was arrested and the boat seized. This past March, both men pleaded guilty to one count of cheating, a felony, and one count of unlawful ownership of wild animals.

In addition to the jail sentence and the forfeiture, the two will be serving 1 1/2 years' probation and will be subject to the maximum fishing license suspension possible.

“I have no doubt that these two crooks cheated in multiple tournaments over the last several years. Unfortunately, we can only hold them accountable for what they did on September 30, 2022,” said Cuyahoga County prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley. “Although these two deserve to have their fishing license suspended for life, the law only allows a maximum of three years. These two should be banned from every fishing tournament for life.”

The two Lake Erie fishermen who touched off a nati... (show quote)

That’s good news ! It’s a shame that guys like that give fishermen a bad name . I was fishing an “Oil Mens “ tournament years ago and a guy was caught putting fish in his boat that he had caught with live bait the day before the tournament . Somebody that KNEW him saw him catch the fish , and stage them in an area . It was verified by another individual that saw him put them in the boat ,and reported him . It takes all kinds . And there is all kinds out there ….My 2cents….

SlickFish Loc: Western PA

Rumor has it one of those losers is being charged with stalking his ex-wife and supplying his 18 year old son with fake $100 bills.

He is simply a phony. While he might not be banned from fishing for life, I would be shocked if anyone ever participated in a tournament if they signed up.

UncleRob Loc: NE Maryland

Not enough of a penalty. This wasn't even a slap on the wrist. 10 days in jail, 3y probation and losing fishing privileges for 3 years? Get the hell outta here, what a crock!

Barnacles Loc: Northern California

Well, I doubt that any tournament organizers will ever let them participate in a tournament ever again.
At least, I hope not!

Rheatown Loc: Greeneville tn

Fellars I don’t know exactly what youns expect we’re living in a world of free range criminals nobody gets anything but a slap on the wrist look at the news coming out of the cities daily if they don’t put people in jail for assault or murder I don’t think they’re going to put anyone in the electric chair for cheating in a fishing tournament