5 months ago
State wildlife officers charged seven people with more than 100 poaching violations in Dodge and Laurens counties.
A state Department of Natural Resources news release says the investigation started in March due to complaints and led to searches on May 18 at the Rentz home of Michael Warren and a home and cabin owned by William Jones of Eastman.
DNR investigators seized evidence at the homes that ranged from computers to animal parts, according to the news release.
The men were charged with various counts ranging from hunting deer at night to possession of illegally taken wildlife, hunting out of season and taking over the bag limit. Most involved deer or turkeys.
According to the news release, Sgt. Keith Byars, an investigator, said, "In my 28 years (with the division), I've never seen anything like this," citing the amount of evidence and the number of violations.
The news release says these people were charged:
-- William Stacy Jones, 31, of Eastman (70 charges);-- Mary Michelle Warren, 28, of Eastman (17 charges);-- Michael Warren, 30, of Rentz (nine charges);-- Cody Coleman, 21, of Marietta (six charges);-- Durwood "Trey" Graham III, 29, of Eastman (four charges);-- Summer Page, 28, of Rentz (four charges); -- and, Brandon Brisco, 31, of Eastman (three charges).
The news release says each misdemeanor count carries a maximum penalty of up to a $1,000 fine and up to a year in jail. Other charges may be filed.
The seven were released on bond that ranged from $1,500 to $15,000, according to the DNR.
