Wildlife Officers recently closed a case in the Hamilton County court regarding aggravated criminal littering. Trash was illegally dumped on the Vandergriff tract of North Chickamauga Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in March.
While starting patrol the morning of March 28, Wildlife Officers Colt Elrod and Garrett Long received a call concerning several bags of trash, tires, a muffler, and a portion of a car frame illegally dumped on the WMA. The officers sifted through the trash and found enough evidence to lead them to a local business. This in turn led officers to question Jayson Hood, a 23-year-old Hamilton County man.
When questioned, Hood confessed to illegally dumping materials. A court date was set for May 25. Hood was encouraged to return to the WMA and clean up the trash, which he refused. Hood received a fine of $250.00 in restitution for the costs of the trash removal by WMA employees. Hood was also given five days of community service and was fined court costs fees.
TWRA is primarily funded through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses. Officer Elrod stated, “It is easy to dispose of trash legally, rather than taking dollars from the hunting community. We’re grateful for the D.A.’s decision”.
To find more about the TWRA mission and funding, visit tnwildlife.org.