+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|  TPWD News Release 20130408b                                            |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|  This page contains only plain text, no HTML formatting codes.          |
|  It is not designed for display in a browser but for copying            |
|  and editing in whatever software you use to lay out pages.             |
|  To copy the text into an editing program:                              |
|    --Display this page in your browser.                                 |
|    --Select all.                                                        |
|    --Copy.                                                              |
|    --Paste in a document in your editing program.                       |
|  If you have any suggestions for improving these pages, send            |
|  an e-mail to webtech@tpwd.state.tx.us and mention Plain Text Pages.    |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+

[ Note: This item is more than three months old. Please take the publication date into consideration for any date references. ]
[ Editors: Images associated with this news release are available on the TPWD Web site (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/news_images/). ]
[ General Media Contact: Business Hours, 512-389-4406 ]
[ Additional Contacts: Lt. Billy Champlin, 254-778-8913, billy.champlin@tpwd.texas.gov ]
April 8, 2013
Texas Game Wardens Seize Illegally Hunted Wildlife Mounts and Drugs in Williamson County
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.
-30-