Texas Game Wardens Seize Illegally Hunted Wildlife Mounts and Drugs in Williamson County
April 8, 2013
ent--article_ _media__contact">Media Contact: Lt. Billy Champlin, 254-778-8913, billy.champlin@tpwd.texas.gov
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TEMPLE — Texas Game Wardens and Williamson County sheriff’s deputies serving a search warrant at a Williamson County residence over the weekend seized a collection of illegally taken wildlife mounts, a quantity of marijuana and $4,000 in cash.
The search began about 11:30 a.m. Saturday. A 55-year-old man was taken into custody.
During the search, game wardens recovered 52 mounts of wildlife believed to have been illegally taken in several states, more than 2 pounds of marijuana, and the cash. The taxidermy items are believed to have been hunted illegally in multiple states and Canada. Species include fish, white-tailed deer, Aoudad, assorted sheep, bear, boar, fox, bobcat, and many other exotics.
The search and subsequent arrest was the culmination of a six-month investigation that began after a hunting outfitter in Iowa became suspicious of a man driving a truck with Texas license plates. The investigation revealed identity theft and numerous documents forged under a false name.
The investigation continues and more charges are expected be filed at a later date.