Chassel Man Arraigned on Charges of Selling Bear Parts

A lengthy undercover investigation involving the selling of bear parts has ended with an arrest in Chassel. 56-year-old Danny Loyd was arraigned yesterday in Houghton County District Court on two counts of selling bear parts, one count each of carrying and advertising passengers for hire without a certificate of inspection, one count of conducting a taxidermy business without a permit, and using a computer to commit a crime. During the course of the investigation, led by detectives with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division’s Special Investigations Unit, Loyd sold bear meat and organs to undercover investigators, which is prohibited by law. The investigation also established that Loyd had been operating a charter fishing business utilizing a vessel that had not been inspected and found to meet the required safety standards. Area conservation officers also had received complaints regarding Loyd’s taxidermy business, which was unlicensed. Loyd is out on a $500 personal recognizance bond and is scheduled to be back in court on November 19th.