Eight men and one woman were charged on 113 wildlife violations and eight pleaded guilty in DeKalb County.
Six adults including Abbey Caldwell, Austin Cook, Daniel Stanley, Evan Cripps and Dustin Cook, along with three unnamed juveniles from DeKalb County and Charles Calvert of Warren County, were charged with multiple accounts including spot-lighting, hunting during a closed season, hunting from a public road and hunting from a motorized vehicle. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) officers appreciated seeing the case come to a close on April 9. “These young men robbed from all Tennesseans” said Joe Fortner, TWRA Wildlife officer.
The case started when TWRA Warren County Officer, Pete Geesling, received a tip regarding illegal spotlighting in late December. He and fellow Warren County TWRA Officer Jason Ramsey started the investigation. TWRA DeKalb County Officers Joe Fortner and Tony Cross, joined the case when tips indicating illegal activity in DeKalb County came in from social media around the first of January. After collecting further evidence, TWRA officers interviewed eight suspects the first weekend in February. Three suspects were interviewed multiple times.
Those indicted admitted to driving a 20-mile stretch of road and illegally taking 11 deer on different nights. The men surrendered five deer racks, three rifles and one bow. The men also consented to the search of a vehicle. TWRA officers removed the carpet in the trunk of the vehicle for DNA testing of blood and hair, used to prove the number of deer transported. Officers also found a spotlight, empty cartridges and a knife. The men also surrendered and consented to the search of an iPhone, which revealed several incriminating photos.
Officers worked with the DeKalb County Assistant District Attorney, Greg Strong, to determine 113 charges for the six adults and three juveniles. After determining charges, all suspects involved in the case met with officers. Officers cited warrants but did not physically arrest any of the men. All pled guilty. Four of the men were offered pretrial diversions from the ADA. Three of the major violators plead guilty but were not offered pretrial diversions. Eight of the nine were prosecuted. The ninth, an unnamed juvenile is being held by the courts under several unrelated violations and has not been tried.
The eight criminals tried on April 9 were fined a total of $10,329, received a combined 22 years of revoked hunting privileges, 16 years of suspended probation and all eight criminals must retake the hunter education course. TWRA Officer Joe Fortner said, “We appreciate when citizens contact us regarding suspicious or illegal activity. Wildlife belongs to all the great residents of Tennessee. We also appreciate the ADA’s support in recognizing the severity of this case.”
TWRA officers put in long hours and have an irregular work schedule. All carry degrees and care for and uphold their oath to protect all of Tennessee’s wildlife. To report crime or suspicious behavior to TWRA contacts a local or office or visit: http://www.tennessee.gov/twra/poach.html.