(WAVY) – A months-long investigation into the unlawful killing of dozens of deer in Scott and Lee counties in Virginia resulted in two people, including a juvenile, being charged.
The Virginia Conservation Police investigation into deer killed by aid of spotlight concluded in October.
During the investigation, they continued to receive reports of additional deer killed.
“Scott and Lee counties combine for over 970 square miles,” said Conservation Police Officer (CPO) Derrik Rickels. “During this time, [the CPO position in] Lee County was vacant. We had to coordinate with other officers in the district to determine the best areas of the counties to spend our time and effort to work most efficiently. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason to their spotlighting route. There were several times that we had four or five officers working certain areas to catch the suspects in the act.”
Following increased night patrols, the use of K9, community assistance, and the review of many hours of surveillance video, two suspects were ultimately caught in the act of spotlighting a deer.
“We were assisted by deputies and investigators with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO),” said CPO Rickels. “On the night they were caught, an off-duty SCSO investigator witnessed subjects shining a spotlight from the window of the vehicle.”
Both of the suspects confessed to the poaching spree. According to a news release from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, they used a suppressed rifle to kill deer, and evidence of their kills was located on their cell phones.
In total, 55 deer were suspected of being killed by aid of spotlight.
In Virginia, using a spotlight, flashlight or light attached to a vehicle to kill deer between sunset and sunrise is restricted and is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
“Working this large of a case, over several months, and then finally seeing all of the hard work come together to a successful prosecution was very rewarding,” said CPO Rickels. “Not only did we protect the wildlife from these serial violators, but also members of our community saw that we take this seriously and will work every lead we get.”
The two subjects were charged with 238 violations for the illegal killing of approximately 30 deer, two bears, and one owl. The case was completed in October 2024.
Subject #1:
- Conviction of 7 class 1 misdemeanors, 91 charges taken under advisement for 12 months
- $3,800 restitution to landowners
- $10,255 replacement costs
- $693 court costs
- 5-year hunting revocation
- Forfeiture of the rifle and suppressor
- 12 months jail suspended
- 12 months supervised probation
- 6 years unsupervised probation
- Mental health assessment ordered by the court
Subject #2 (juvenile):
- Conviction of 14 class 2 misdemeanors, remainder taken under advisement
- $7,000 replacement costs
- 5-year hunting revocation
- 28 months of jail suspended
- 24 months of adult supervised probation
- Mental health assessment ordered by the court
