A Mount Airy man was charged with the illegal sale of deer meat by the Maryland Natural Resources Police after a 14-month investigation.

David Wayne Knott, 53, who operated a sales business with the name "Why Not Call Knott," was charged and issued a criminal summons Friday after 350 pounds of deer meat was discovered in three freezers at his business, a police spokeswoman said. He faces a fine of up to $4,500.

Police officers have been investigating Mr. Knott's alleged illegal deer meat sales since January 1993. Business records were seized along with the the meat, the spokeswoman said.

Mr. Knott lives on Shirley Bohn Road, in the Frederick County section of Mount Airy.

Two other men, both Montgomery County residents, were charged in similar incidents Saturday and could face fines ranging from $4,500 to $9,000, police officials said.

John Marvin Weed, 61, of Blueford Road, Kensington, was charged with six counts of illegal sales of deer meat. Two chest freezers and one upright freezer, containing 300 pounds of deer meat, were seized. Officials also confiscated a sawed-off shotgun and meat processing equipment.

Officials said he has been under investigation since November.

Floyd E. Rhinecker, 65, of Ridge Road in Damascus was charged with three counts of illegal sale of deer meat. He allegedly sold the meat at different locations in Montgomery County and has been under investigation since January of this year, the police spokeswoman said.