PLEADING GUILTY — Former Steubenville Police officer Nate Cline, right, and his attorney, Ryan Shafer, answer questions from Jefferson County Common Pleas Judge Michelle Miller during a plea change hearing for Cline on Tuesday. Cline pleaded guilty to felony and misdemeanor charges, mainly in association with illegal hunting. -- Mark Law

STEUBENVILLE — Former City Police officer Nate Cline faces up to two years in prison in connection with illegal hunting charges and his misuse of a law enforcement automated database system.

Cline plead guilty By to five felonies and 11 misdemeanors during a hearing on Tuesday before Jefferson County Common Pleas Judge Michelle Miller.

Cline was among seven people who were indicted by the county grand jury in the illegal hunting case presented by the state attorney general’s office.

Cline pleaded guilty to five counts of hunting without permission, six counts of illegal possession of deer or deer parts, both misdemeanors, and felony counts of theft, grand theft, complicity to theft, unauthorized used of the law enforcement automated database system and attempted engagement in a pattern of corrupt activity.

He was fired from his police position in October.

Miller told Cline he never again can be a police officer because of his felony convictions.

Cline’s sentencing is set for Jan. 28. He is allowed to remain free on bond.

There were three main defendants in the case — Cline, Robert L. Gilbert, 39, of New Freeport, Pa.; and Marlon Hale, 40, of 282 Saline St., Irondale. Gilbert and Hale were set to testify in a trial against Cline.

Hale pleaded guilty to eight counts of hunting without permission, all misdemeanors, and felony counts of complicity to theft and grand theft. Gilbert pleaded guilty to six counts of hunting without permission, one count of leaving the state with an untagged turkey, five counts of receiving stolen property and three counts of failure to tag a deer, all misdemeanors.

The indictments state the three men participated in corrupt activity by engaging in hunting without permission, illegal theft of antlered deer, illegal possession of deer and turkey parts and profiting from the illicit scheme. The indictment also states the three men profited from the illicit scheme by photographing, videotaping, filming, editing and scouting for the illegal harvest of bucks and receiving money for videotaped productions.

The indictments stated hunting occurred on properties throughout Jefferson County, without the permission of the property owner.

The remaining four defendants were taken to the properties, without permission of the landowner, to illegally hunt deer and turkey.

Cline’s indictment also stated Cline on June 29, 2017, gave information he obtained through the law enforcement automated database system to Hale. Law enforcement is prohibited from using the information for personal use.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew Jalandoni told Miller the state is recommending Cline serve two years in prison. He said the state won’t object to Cline receiving judicial release after serving 12 months. If judicial release is granted, Cline will be on probation for five years.

Cline also will be fined $3,000 and must make $29,165 to the state division of wildlife for the deer and turkeys illegally harvested. Jalandoni said the restitution must be paid prior to Cline’s sentencing.

Cline’s hunting privileges will be suspended for the maximum of three years. Jalandoni said Cline can’t get a hunting license while he is on probation.

Hale and Gilbert also will be sentenced on Jan. 28. The state is recommending Hale be sentenced to nine months in the county jail, followed by five years of probation, and complete 500 hours of community service. Hale also will have to pay a fine of $2,000 and make restitution in the amount of $2,600 to the state’s wildlife division.

The state is recommending a 180-day suspended sentence for Gilbert. He will be placed on probation for five years. The state is recommending a $6,000 fine for Gilbert and $18,725 in restitution to the state wildlife division.

Both Hale and Gilbert won’t be able to get a hunting license while on probation.