JONESBORO – Three Florida man have received convictions and sentences in Union County after an extended investigation and arrest by the Illinois Conservation Police.
Union County State’s Attorney Tyler E. Tripp says charges include a myriad of serious wildlife law violations related to the unlawful taking of multiple antlered white-tailed deer last November.
Charges for the three identified below ranged from Spotlighting Wildlife from a Motor Vehicle, Unlawfully Hunting Between Half Hour after Sunset to Half Hour before Sunrise, Transport of Loaded Rifles within Vehicles, Shooting from the Roadway, Hunting from the Roadway, and Unlawful Taking of multiple white-tailed bucks.
– Aaron D. Holmes, 30, of Lakeland, Florida pleaded guilty to 7 Wildlife Code violations. Fines totaled $11,697.
– Parker J. Bell, 27, of Lakeland, Florida pleaded guilty 3 Wildlife Code violations. Fines totaled $11,197.
– Scott L. Adams, 30, of Lakeland, Florida pleaded guilty to 4 Wildlife Code violations. Fines totaled $6,597.
The combined total of $29,491 includes civil penalties assessed specifically for the unlawful harvest of White-Tailed Bucks with a portion being earmarked for the Illinois Conservation Police Operations Fund. The poachers are also subject to 11 ½ years of combined revocation effective in 48 states due to reciprocal recognition through the Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact shall be enforced.
The three men traveled to Illinois in possession of a semi-automatic rifle equipped with a night vision scope and gun mounted Infrared spotlight. The trio drove around for hours at night locating deer to shoot from the vehicle. The subjects shot from the roadway then recovered the deer and loaded entire carcasses into their rental truck. IDNR CPO’s began investigating the group and discovered activity consistent with poaching.
Officers executed a search warrant late at night as a vehicle returned to the dwelling that the subjects had rented for the week. Three unlawfully taken and possessed white-tailed buck deer were discovered and seized along with firearms used in commission of the crimes.
This successful investigation and prosecution highlight the commitment of local IDNR officers and the Union County State’s Attorney to holding non-resident hunters and others accountable for blatant and intentional violations of the Illinois Wildlife Code, and protecting the many law-abiding hunters and outdoor enthusiasts in the area who follow the law.
