A Richland restaurant owner accused of illegally buying wild game through the back door pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of unlawful trafficking in fish or wildlife.

The Tri-City Herald reports ( http://bit.ly/XaokdJ) 52-year-old Tai Woan Ng appeared in court Wednesday and is out of jail while awaiting trial April 8 in Benton County Superior Court.

The charges are a result of year-and-a-half sting operation by undercover state game officers who sold deer, ducks, pheasants, fish and bear gall bladders through the back door of the Golden Palace restaurant.

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Information from: Tri-City Herald, http://www.tri-cityherald.com