A misdemeanor charge against former Bonneville County GOP Chairman Doyle Beck was dismissed last week by a motion from the prosecutor.

Lemhi County Prosecutor Bruce Withers said he agreed to dismiss the charge in exchange for a bond forfeiture, effectively meaning Beck had to pay a $500 fine, the same as the penalty paid by Beck’s co-defendant.

“I treated Mr. Beck the same way I treated the other gentleman, and I think that’s fair,” Withers said.

Charges were filed against Beck and another man in September after they reportedly used a helicopter to retrieve a dead elk from the Eighteen Mile wilderness study area. The area is popular for hunting, but motor vehicles are forbidden.

Beck was charged with unlawful use of a helicopter in hunting game and aiding in a misdemeanor. The first charge was later dismissed.

Beck had criticized the…