Six individuals in Kentucky are facing over 100 criminal charges collectively for their involvement in a poaching ring that illegally killed hundreds of animals in Hardin and Grayson counties, including deer, turkey, fox, and a domestic pet.
Six people are facing more than 100 criminal charges combined after a year-long investigation into a major poaching ring.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife said Thursday the group is responsible for the illegal killing of several hundred animals across Hardin and Grayson counties, including deer, turkey, fox and a domestic pet.
Those arrested in the poaching investigation include:
Allen Sauer (21, Leitchfield): Charged with 76 violations, including 52 counts of illegal take of deer/turkey, spotlighting, animal cruelty and unlawful transaction with a minor.
Aden Walker (21, Elizabethtown): Charged with illegal take of wildlife, spotlighting and discharging a firearm from a roadway.
Malachi Delatour (18, Leitchfield): Charged with illegal take, animal cruelty and unlawful transaction with a minor.
Joshua Stevenson (18, Leitchfield): Charged with illegal take and hunting without permission.
Bradley Webb (18, Leitchfield): Charged with illegal take and taking wildlife from a vehicle.
Madison Whittington (20, Leitchfield): Charged with illegal take of deer/turkey.
According to a news release, wildlife officials said the investigation took a turn in July 2024 after game wardens pulled the group over after catching them using high-powered lights to illuminate fields from a car on the road, which is known as spotlighting.
During the traffic stop, wardens found multiple .22-caliber firearms, spotlighting equipment and open alcoholic beverages.
«Although the suspects initially claimed they were raccoon hunting, game wardens noted no open season for the species was in effect at the time,» Kentucky Fish and Wildlife said.
Further investigation revealed a «coordinated effort» to illegally take wildlife in Hardin and Grayson counties, officials added.