How exactly did Jake Runyan and Chase Cominsky cheat in an Ohio fishing contest?
Given that the pair have quite a prolific history of winning, who knows what else could be discovered before this is all over.
‘Cheaters never prosper’ goes the old adage and while many might argue that’s not always true, it would appear that this time around it in fact the case.
Two face criminal charges for cheating in Ohio walleye tournament
According to recent reports two fishermen are now facing criminal charges after a viral video appeared to show them cheating to win a walleye tournament in Ohio. Jake Runyan and Chase Cominsky have been charged with cheating, attempted grand theft, possessing criminal tools, and unlawful ownership of wild animals, after they were caught adding weights to the fish they caught. Their efforts of course, were in an attempt to win the Lake Erie Walleye Trail fishing tournament.
Two anglers are INDICTED for grand theft after 'cheating during walleye tournament by stuffing their catch with lead weights' - as part of a ploy to win thousands of dollars in Ohio fishing contest
— ImageKingUSA (@ImageKingUSA1) October 13, 2022
via https://t.co/iDmtTZ3spP https://t.co/oommrSryef
The pair were in contention for the $28,760 prize until they were caught red handed. Runyan and Cominsky allegedly needed their five fish to have a total weight that surpassed 16.89 pounds in order to win first place. It was only when tournament director Jason Fischer chose to take a second look at their catch - it won by more than 17 pounds - that the scheme unraveled. Fischer discovered 10 weights had been inserted into the fish. Eight of them weighed in at 12 ounces, while the other two weighed 10 ounces. If that wasn’t enough, Fischer also found walleye filets placed inside the fish to add even more weight to the catch.
What now for the cheaters?
Related stories
Following the shameful turn of events, the charges were announced by Cuyahoga County prosecutor Michael O’Malley, who also gave his thoughts on the malicious intentions of the pair in question. “I take every crime seriously, and I believe what these two individuals attempted to do was not only dishonorable but criminal,” he said in a press release.
Two Fishermen Indicted On Criminal Charges for Cheating During the Lake Erie Walleye Trail Tournament
— ProsMikeOMalley (@ProsMikeOMalley) October 12, 2022
Press release: https://t.co/8weHKlGEUH pic.twitter.com/JNflVkMjQQ
With regards to where things stand now, it is understood that Cominsky’s boat and trailer have been seized by investigators, as both he and Runyan face multiple charges. Though the majority of said charges are fifth-degree felonies, there is one that qualifies as a fourth-degree misdemeanor and that’s the charge of ‘unlawful ownership of wild animals.’ If they are convicted, the dishonest duo could see their fishing licenses suspended indefinitely.