DALLAS – Nicholas A. Rosencrance, 19, of Scott Township, faces multiple game law charges resulting from a deer-killing spree that occurred in late January 2018, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission officials. 
Charges against Rosencrance today were filed at the office of Magisterial District Judge Paul Keeler, Chinchilla. 


A disturbing video posted on Facebook, showing a male juvenile kicking and stabbing a paralyzed white-tailed deer, was provided to the Game Commission in October. Lackawanna County State Game Warden Kevin Moran and other game wardens conducted multiple suspect interviews and collected forensic evidence that led to charges against Rosencrance and two juveniles.


The Game Commission alleges Rosencrance participated in killing or shooting at four deer in North Abington and Scott townships in January 2018 and that he provided the rifle, vehicle and spotlight. Game wardens executed a search warrant at his residence in Scott Township on Nov. 9 and confiscated a rifle, deer parts, drug paraphernalia and electronic evidence.

Rosencrance faces three first-degree misdemeanor counts and two ungraded misdemeanor counts of killing or possessing big game during a closed season, four summary counts of using a vehicle to hunt game, four summary counts of having a loaded firearm in a vehicle, four summary counts of the unlawful use of an artificial light when in possession of a firearm, and one summary count of disturbing game.


Rosencrance faces a maximum of $41,000 in fines and 69 months of prison time if convicted of all charges.
“As the district attorney and avid hunter, I would like to commend the Game Commission, Pennsylvania State Police, and Lackawanna County detectives for their diligent investigation in this case,” said Lackawanna County District Attorney Mark Powell. “As this case demonstrates, people who engage in killing game illegally and out of season will face serious charges and aggressive prosecution by my office.”