Texas officials put a stop to mass poaching rampage - KXXV-TV News Channel 25 - Central Texas News and Weather for Waco, Temple, Killeen |

Four adults and two minors are facing more than 175 state jail felony and Class A misdemeanor wildlife violations stemming from a "surreal chain of poaching events" between June 4 and Aug. 29. 

T Daniel Wyatt Pate, age 20; James Hayden Belknap, age 17; and John Edward Persuad, age 19, are currently behind bars.

Texas Game Wardens and the Leon County Sheriff's Office worked together to track the suspected criminals down.

The suspects have been charged in the illegal killing of at least 68 white-tailed deer, numerous other wildlife species and livestock, and the indiscriminate and widespread destruction of public and private property. 

Investigators say they believe the toll on wildlife and property is likely greater.

Officials say the group used various firearms at night to shoot wildlife, livestock and property from a vehicle on a public roadway and on private property without landowner consent.

Game wardens confiscated nine firearms ranging from .17 HMR to .270, including a .22 rimfire rifle fitted with a homemade suppressor.

The majority of the deer shot illegally were scattered from Jewett, in northwestern Leon County, to Leona, located in southeastern Leon County. Centerville was a midpoint between the two outlying communities and was nearest the majority of the wildlife violations, with more than a dozen deer shot from the feeder road along I-45.

While some of the deer killed had portions of the carcasses retained by the suspects for consumption – loins and hindquarters – most were left to rot in the field, officials say.

The suspects purportedly shot numerous other animals from a vehicle on a public road, including: vultures, squirrels, foxes, feral hogs, doves, ducks, cormorants, blue herons, alligators, white egrets, armadillos and raccoons.

“This investigation represents one of, if not the most egregious poaching cases I am aware of in my 41 years in law enforcement,” said Col. Craig Hunter, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Law Enforcement Director. “I am extremely proud of the strong relationship between our game wardens, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and local landowners.”

The violators were also allegedly involved in more than a dozen burglaries, mostly hunting cabins, according to Sgt. Brian Stafford with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, which is also investigating numerous other illegal activities believed to be related.

Those acts include the shooting of a plate glass window at a service station, repeated shooting of a pickup parked at a residence, target shooting numerous road signs and residential mailboxes, along with several house cats.

“This reprehensible and senseless killing spree has absolutely no resemblance to hunting, and I know sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts everywhere will be appalled to learn of this thoughtless waste of life,” said Carter Smith, DTP Executive Director. “It is fitting to see these violators brought to justice, thanks to an observant landowner who provided the initial tip and the diligent work of our Texas Game Wardens working with the sheriff’s office.”

Investigators say they are baffled at how little attention the suspects’ actions drew.

“It amazes me that over a three-month period these young men likely fired hundreds of rounds of ammo, most of which were at night and in various locations, and no one reported gunshots or suspicious activity until September,” said supervising game warden Capt. Mike Hanson. “Not a single call.”

Some landowners interviewed during the investigation told game wardens they recalled hearing gunshots at night, but dismissed them as feral hog hunters.