Crime – Page 8 – Syndication Server

Search on for Oregon deer poacher who ‘fled the scene’

Oregon officials are seeking help from the public in finding a poacher who “fled the scene” after killing a deer on private property and removing its head.

State Troopers continue to investigate the incident, which occurred Dec. 9, 2021, in Lane County.

The suspect is described as being 5-foot-1 with brown hair and beard. He was driving a late 1990s white Chevrolet flatbed pickup.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife stated in a news release issued Feb. 2 that the man shot the buck close to a private residence and alongside a driveway leading to other homes.

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The suspect “fled the scene” on foot, and later in his truck, after he was encountered by a passerby, the ODFW explained. The man left behind the deer carcass and head, which he likely removed to keep as a trophy.

Senior Trooper Josh Wolcott and a Conservation K-9 named Buck conducted a field survey and Wolcott collected evidence. Wolcott field-dressed the carcass and the meat was donated to local charities.

“The silver lining to poaching cases like this – where we are able to locate the animal while it’s still salvageable – is that the meat is put to good use,” he said.

A $500 reward is being offered to the person who can provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.

Anglers busted with 152 crappie over the daily limit

Authorities in Mississippi have busted two anglers in possession of 152 crappie over the limit at Enid Lake.

Apparently, a statewide daily creel limit of 30 crappie was not sufficient for two anglers at Mississippi’s Enid Lake.

Authorities on Thursday announced that after receiving a recent call regarding “suspicious activity” at the lake, an officer encountered two individuals in possession of 152 crappie over the limit.

The bust was carried out by Cpl. Brian Tallent of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. The unidentified anglers also were charged with game violations.

The DWFP’s Col. Jerry Carter stated in a news release: “We would like to thank the general public for reporting game violations thereby allowing our officers to further protect our state’s wildlife resources. We would also like to thank Cpl. Brian Tallent for his work in this investigation.”

The world record for white crappie – 5 pounds, 3 ounces, by angler Fred Bright – was set at Enid Lake in 1957.

10 arrested in Florida for illegally netting 500 pounds of fish

Authorities in Florida have charged 10 suspects for illegally using monofilament gill nets to capture and kill more than 500 pounds of fish, including sharks.

All 10 suspects are from Atlanta, Ga. They were arrested and charged recently after being found in possession of four gill nets spanning 1,600 feet at the Skyway Bridge North Rest Area in St. Petersburg.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced details of the bust Thursday.

The suspects were identified as Marcos Lopez Navarrete (27), Ernesto Lopez Navarrete (35), Roberto Gonzalez Lopez (41), Carlos Lopez Santana (18), Fredy Lopez Navarrete (38), Fredy Lopez Reyez (18), Rafael Castro Herrera (40), Daniel Reyez Valente (26), Efren Lopez Navarette (43) and Lorenzo Lopez Navarette (40).

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Each suspect was charged with a third-degree felony for use of illegal gill nets. The men also were charged with first- and second-degree misdemeanor violations pertaining to the illegal capture of various species, including permit, black drum, snook, blue crab, trout, sharks, and sheepshead.

The maximum penalty for a third-degree felony is five years in jail and/or a $5,000 fine. The maximum penalty for a first-degree misdemeanor charge is one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Second-degree misdemeanor charges carry a penalty of up to 60 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.

Monofilament gill nets, which are invisible underwater, kill indiscriminately by trapping fish by the gills. The nets, suspended underwater via floats, also pose substantial threats to marine mammals, endangered sea turtles, and diving birds.

The FWC said that the amount of netting seized as evidence spanned “more than four-and-a-half football fields.”

The arrests occurred after a period of surveillance following an anonymous tip.

Monofilament gill nets were banned in Florida in 1995.

Poachers ‘stealing’ wildlife remains a troubling issue in Utah

Wildlife authorities in Utah this week revealed that more than 1,000 wild animals were killed illegally in 2021, marking the continuation of a troubling trend.

According to the state’s Division of Wildlife Resources, hunters and anglers last year illegally harvested 1,153 animals with an estimated value of $6,100.

It was at least the third consecutive year in which the number of poached wildlife increased.

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Deer topped the list, with 180 deer, including 34 “trophy” bucks, having been killed illegally.

Elk (113, including18 trophy bull elk) were the second most targeted species.

Also on the the list: 17 mountain lions, 11 bears, five moose, one bighorn sheep, and 374 fish.

“The remaining illegally killed wildlife include a variety of small game animals, waterfowl and a variety of other wildlife species,” the DWR stated in a news release issued Wednesday.

In 2020, 1,079 animals worth an estimated $387,000 were killed illegally in Utah. In 2019, 1,065 animals worth $384,000 were poached.

In 2021, the state issued 4,394 citations and suspended the hunting or fishing privileges of 48 people. The suspension figure was up from 2020 (35), but down significantly from 2019 (84).

Said DWR Capt. Chad Bettridge: “Each animal that is illegally killed in our state is one less animal for legal hunters, wildlife enthusiasts and everyday residents to enjoy. Poachers steal our ability to enjoy Utah’s wildlife.”

–Elk image courtesy of ©Pete Thomas

Oregon seeks public’s help after killing of bald eagle

Authorities in Oregon are asking the public for help identifying the person or persons responsible for killing a state-protected bald eagle.

The Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division issued a news release Tuesday explaining that the bald eagle carcass was discovered by a citizen Nov. 30 in Cox Butte west of Junction City.

“Bald Eagles and other raptors are protected in Oregon,” OSP Fish & Wildlife stated. “They commonly inhabit the Willamette Valley and are an important part of the wildlife ecosystem. It is illegal to harass, injure or kill a Bald Eagle.”

OSP Fish & Wildlife Troopers are seeking the public’s assistance in the identification of the person(s) responsible for killing a Bald Eagle in the Junction City area: https://t.co/MzCajCAx97 #StopPoaching pic.twitter.com/pPKuwvKXMP

— OSP Fish & Wildlife (@OSP_Fish) December 14, 2021

The agency is asking citizens to call its tip line at 1-800-452-7888, or to reach out via text or email if they possess information related to the investigation.

Penalties for killing a bald eagle in Oregon include a maximum fine of $6,500 and up to a year in jail, plus an additional $5,000 in damages.

–Bald eagle image courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Florida deer, alligator poaching case described as ‘shocking’

Wildlife officials in Florida have charged four people with multiple poaching-related violations after social media posts turned up “shocking” evidence against the suspects.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced Thursday that its officers obtained warrants for the suspects’ social media accounts and discovered images and videos showing illegally harvested deer and alligators from Nov. 2020 through September 2021.

The evidence helped officers determine dates and locations of the suspected poaching activities. The suspects booked into the Dixie County Jail.

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“The scope of the illegal activity is shocking and shows complete disregard for our shared natural resources,” stated Maj. Scott Lee, commander of the FWC’s North Central Region. “I appreciate the dedication of our officers for their diligence with this case in bringing these individuals to justice.”

The case will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office for the Third Judicial Circuit.

The FWC listed the suspects’ names and the charges they face:

Jerrell Austin Clyatt Everett (DOB:08/07/2001) of Old Town, Florida:

–Five counts possession of deer in closed season 379.404(1). –Six counts possession of antlerless deer 379.404(3). –Three counts of taking/possession of alligator 379.409(1). –One count of taking deer by illegal method 68A-12.002(3)(b)2.

Kasen David Brown (DOB: 09/26/2002) of Cross City, Florida:

–Four counts of possession of deer in closed season 379.404(1). –Two counts of taking/possession of alligator 379.409(1).

Kayla Mckenzie Kline (DOB: 07/07/2003) of Old Town, Florida:

–Three counts possession of deer in closed season 379.404(1).

Keaton Aaron Brown (DOB: 07/22/2002) of Old Town, Florida:

–Three counts possession of deer in closed season 379.404(1).

–Two counts possession of antlerless deer 379.404(3).

–One count of shooting deer from roadway/right of way 68A-4.008.

–One count take deer by illegal method 68A-12.002(3)(b)2.

–One count taking deer after hours 68A-12.002(2).

–Two counts discharging firearm from roadway/right of way 790.15(1).

–One count of discharging firearm from vehicle within 1,000 feet of another person 790.15(2).

Ex-NFL star Kellen Winslow II sentenced to 14 years for rape and sex crimes against women

Former NFL tight end Kellen Winslow II faced final judgment in court and was rebuked by the judge and women he violated.

Suspected abalone poachers caught after pursuit on jetty

Two men were apprehended and cited for the unlawful take and possession of abalone last Saturday after a pursuit on a Southern California jetty.

Two men were apprehended and cited for the unlawful take and possession of abalone last Saturday after a brief pursuit on a Southern California jetty.

A California Department of Fish and Wildlife officer and Long Beach Police Department officer, on joint nighttime patrol, became suspicious when they spotted silhouettes of the men on a Long Beach Harbor jetty.

The CDFW officer was dropped from a boat onto the jetty and approached the men, who began to run, according to an agency news release issued Thursday.

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With the help of a police air unit, the unidentified men were found hiding in the rocks and in possession of 16 green and pink abalone. The Los Angeles Port Police also assisted in the effort.

“This is a perfect example of mutual aid cooperation allowing us to create a force multiplier in order to protect our precious resources,” said David Bess, CDFW Deputy Director and Chief of the Law Enforcement Division. “This joint patrol effort allowed us to apprehend these suspected poachers who were targeting abalone, a protected species south of the Golden Gate for more than 23 years.”

Abalone have been protected south of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge since 1997, after a near collapse of the population. A statewide ban was imposed in 2017 because of the continued decline of red abalone “mostly due to environmental stressors,” the CDFW stated.

The men were cited for 16 counts related to the unlawful take of protected wildlife. The abalone, still alive and deemed “survivable,” were placed back into the ocean.

–Image showing the seized abalone is courtesy of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Report: St. Paul resident faces charges for running Vikings/Packers tickets scam

The St. Paul woman is being charged with theft by swindle and false representation for the scam.

A St. Paul woman faces charges for running a scam in which she would sell people football tickets she didn’t actually have, according to a report.

City Pages reported that Allie Heutmaker — who used to live in River Falls, Wisconsin — allegedly messaged people on Facebook, and upon receiving her money, usually a Venmo request or Facebook Pay, she would not send over the agreed-upon ticket or tickets.

“In total, [Heutmaker] swindled those individuals in excess of $3,000,” said a complaint obtained by City Pages.

Heutmaker admitted to police that there were never any actual tickets, per the complaint obtained by City Pages.

She allegedly tricked people into thinking she had Vikings tickets or Packers tickets. She will make her court appearance in Wisconsin come April, and make one in Minnesota in early June.

City Pages reported that many people who Heutmaker scammed don’t think they will ever get their money back.

Deer hunter arrested after family’s pet horse is shot

An arrest has been made in the case involving a Virginia deer hunter suspected of shooting a family’s pet horse.

Jeffrey Mayo, of Mineral, was charged with reckless handling of a firearm and discharging a firearm within 100 yards of an occupied dwelling, the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday.

“It was determined through the investigation that the suspect was hunting and had fired three shots at a deer while it was running,” the agency stated in a news release.

ABC 8 News reports that the 24-year-old quarter horse, named Penny, suffered wounds to her chest and lung during the Nov. 27 incident in Ashland.

Alexander Gaudino, Penny’s caretaker, said that after seeing the horse bleeding from her side he initially thought she had been injured by barbed wire. “We walked over there and she wouldn’t move; we were in complete shock,” Gaudino said.

A GoFundMe page was created two days later, with Kim Boyd Gaudino writing, “Our family pet of 20 years was shot in the yard the night before Thanksgiving. We are asking for help with medical expenses.”

On Nov. 30 the post was updated to reveal that Penny was “fighting to live” but the next day Penny was said to be “doing amazing well.”

Penny, who received care from the family’s veterinarian, has since recovered.

The investigation was conducted in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

–Images showing Penny during her recovery are courtesy of the Gaudino family