BROOKE COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – On October 5, 2020, West Virginia Natural Resources Police Officer S.C. Haines received a complaint about multiple dead deer discarded in a wooded area located in Brooke County, West Virginia. NRPO Haines visited the site and determined at least three of the deer were killed with a rifle, although the firearm season was not scheduled to begin for several weeks. One of the gunshot deer had its head removed and absolutely no meat taken from the carcass. All the other carcasses had only the prime portions of meat removed and the other half of the deer wasted. A second headless buck was also located in the dumpsite.
NRPO Haines and NRPO Bartram returned to the area to gather evidence. They suspected the culprit was possibly a nearby resident, who had a very lengthy criminal history, including wildlife crimes, and is prohibited from the possession of firearms. On October 11, 2020, Brooke County Sheriff Deputies responded to the suspect’s residence after the 27-year-old man battered his 84-year-old grandmother. The deputies located three fresh trophy bucks heads outside the home.
Brooke County Sheriff Sgt Ferguson contacted Officer Haines. NRPO Haines arrived at the scene, gathered the deer heads, and assisted the Brooke County Deputies in attempting to find the suspect, who was at large and observed with a rifle in the area. During the suspect’s search, officers located a handgun in a detached garage frequented and by the suspect, and further investigation efforts placed the pistol in the suspect’s possession over the past several weeks. Officers were not able to locate the suspect. However, the suspect was apprehended by the Brooke County Sheriff SRT team later that evening, and the suspect faces charges for domestic battery third offense, which is a felony.
Officers’ investigation methods did match one of the deer heads possessed by the suspect to one of the gunshot headless deer wasted at the dumpsite.
On January 29, 2021, West Virginia Natural Resources Police Officers S.C. Haines and G.E. Scrofano located the 27-year-old man and arrested him on outstanding warrants for the offenses prohibited person in possession of a firearm, wanton waste of a big game animal, and illegal possession of wildlife. The suspect was arraigned and transported to the West Virginia Northern Regional Jail, where he later posted bond.
