Illegal Hunting, Don't Boast or Use Facebook

[runco]

This actually happened in my neck of the woods, and I go to church with one of the officers.  Quite stupid in my opinion, and what a idiot:

 

http://www.newschannel9.com/news/top-stories/stories/facebook-posts-lead-multiple-wildlife-charges-19199.shtml?wap=0

 

Facebook Posts Lead to Multiple Wildlife Charges

Social media led wildlife enforcement officers to charge a Monroe County man with multiple crimes. Tyler Kruz Murphy pleaded guilty last week to seven violations including killing big game in closed season, killing big game over bait, hunting without a license, violation of big game bag limits, possession of illegally taken wildlife and violation of big game tagging/check-in procedures. He paid more than $2,700 in fines and lost his privileges to hunt or fish for five years.

The case began when a Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officer crossed paths with Murphy while out hunting in April.  Murphy, not knowing he was talking to a wildlife officer, shared details of a turkey he shot the previous day. The officer suspected the turkey had been illegally baited and notified other local officers. Murphy was already known to Officer Kip Kite because he had been charged with other wildlife violations in 2012.

Kite noted Murphy had not reported the turkey he claimed to shoot the previous day, as required by law. However, Kite needed more evidence before he could file any charges.

A few days later Kite received an anonymous email about a photo posted to Facebook. Murphy had posted a photo of two dead turkeys saying, “first time killing two with one shot.” Officers also found the illegal bait on the property Murphy was hunting and continued to keep watch on the area, hoping Murphy would return to hunt. The investigation had stalled at this point, but the officers didn't give up.

On May 12, officers "gained access to [Murphy's] social media page," according to a TWRA news release. They found numerous incriminating photos dating back to September of 2014. They served a search warrant on Murphy's home and seized a muzzleloader, shotgun, compound bow, cell phones and a truck. An 8-point mounted buck, three turkey beards, turkey spurs, turkey tail fans and turkey wings were also confiscated. 

Murphy was subsequently arrested and charged with 17 different wildlife crimes. They said Murphy admitted to the violations. He appeared before Judge Dwaine Thomas in Monroe County on July 28, 2015 and pleaded guilty to seven violations. 

In addition to the $2,700 in fines and lost hunting & fishing privileges in Tennessee, Murphy also loses hunting & fishing privileges in dozens of other states under the cooperative Wildlife Violators Compact. The confiscated muzzleloader, shotgun, compound bow and truck along with the eight point buck shoulder mount and turkey parts were declared contraband by order of Judge Thomas. 

Officer Kite said, “Any person that witnesses or has reason to believe that someone is violating wildlife laws should contact TWRA through a regional office. Without the anonymous email, this case might have ended without Murphy being held accountable for all of his known crimes. We’re very grateful for Judge Thomas for taking a firm stance against wildlife violators. It helps to have a judge that understands how and why wildlife officers enforce game laws."

 

[xjsnake]

Good.

[BigK]

I'm glad they got him.

[VERO1]

Some people never learn that stupid can be really expensive.

[Clod Stomper]

Moron.

Don't think I know any of the people involved. So that's good.

Well, except the judge. Went to school with him.

[Caster]

The rules and regs are there for a reason and that reason ain't to purposefully inconvenience you.  These are the scumbags that mess it up for everyone else.  

I hope they never get to hunt anywhere ever again.  

[AECS]

That is great.  I urge all poachers to do the same.

[maroonandwhite]

Dang they took his truck too! :rofl: