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Posted: Monday, October 1st, 2012 9:10 AM HST

Maui hunting ranch owner up for sentencing

By Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — A Maui hunting ranch owner will be sentenced for taking an unlicensed hunter to shoot game animals in a case stemming from a broader investigation into the interisland smuggling of axis deer. Jeffrey Grundhauser is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Richard Puglisi on Monday. He pleaded guilty in August to a federal misdemeanor. Grundhauser faces up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. Prosecutors say Grundhauser and others introduced axis deer to the Big Island, where the animals hadn't been known to exist before. His attorney says Grundhauser provided a few axis deer to a Big Island individual but believed the animals would be kept in pens. He says Grundhauser is taking responsibility for guiding an unlicensed hunter.