A former state lawmaker from Southern Arizona faces misdemeanor charges over over allegations he was found hunting in a closed area in Fort Huachuca..
Former Republican state Senator Frank Antenori attended an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Tucson Wednesday on the charge he unlawfully entered land to hunt game.
The state charge against Antenori is a class two misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of four months in jail, two years probation and $750 in fines. The matter is being handled in federal court, however, because it occurred on federal land.
“This is clearly, in my opinion, payback for my creating headaches for the environmental folks at Fort Huachuca,” Antenori told the Arizona Daily Star Thursday morning. Antenori said he was bow hunting in an area where he has done so numerous times.
Antenori said he’s certain the case will be dismissed when the U.S. magistrate judge hears the facts of the case.
Those facts, Antenori said, include Fort Huachuca biologists closing sites for hunting without notice and without reason.
He said he’s complained about the issue to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Congresswoman Martha McSally’s office and the office of Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake.
Antenori entered a not guilty plea at Wednesday’s hearing. He has another court appearance scheduled for March 7.
