In a case built on a group chat that reads like the world's dumbest crime novel, a quartet of Chase County men have been charged with a slew of felony and misdemeanor wildlife violations. These charges stem from an alleged coordinated poaching ring that spanned from 2022 to late 2024 during which time prosecutors claim the group illegally hunted deer, coyotes, and other animals using spotlights, vehicles, and incredibly "quiet guns," all while engaging in the commercialization of wildlife and acts of animal cruelty.
The defendants—Spencer W. Harshman, Brody J. Harrison, Tyler E. Dickerson, and Michael W. Bockman—are now facing a combined total of nearly 80 counts, including felonies for commercialization of wildlife valued at $1,000 or more and animal cruelty. The charges were filed by Chase County Attorney Brian J. Henderson on Monday, with all four men scheduled for first appearances in Chase County District Court on March 26th.
At the heart of the case is a series of group text messages that were exchanged between October 31 and November 1, 2024, which prosecutors say detail the planning and execution of an illegal deer hunt. The messages, included in the criminal complaints, reveal discussions about spotlights, firearms, and real-time updates on kills.
On October 31, Harshman texted Harrison about a spotlight: "Do you have a spotlight?" Harrison responded that he had one that plugs into a truck, prompting Harshman to declare, "F****g perfect it's on tomorrow. Dirty Mike and the boys ride again."
The next day, November 1, the group chat escalated. At 8:46 a.m., Harshman messaged: "I need you boy to bring quiet guns," followed by "Big enough to kill deer." Dickerson replied, "Copy that."
By afternoon, the messages turned to reports of success—and excess. At 1:45 p.m., Harshman announced: "Team Spencer and Brody on the board," accompanied by a photo of a buck with Harshman and Harrison each holding an antler on a UTV. Bockman chimed in: "1 down 736 to go!" Later, he asked, "Is it a murder spree?!!!" as the group coordinated movements.
As the day wore on, Harshman urged: "Better hurry shit is dying left and right." He later reported shooting a deer south of Harrison's location and, in a separate text to an uncharged individual, bragged about killing a "huge deer" and planning to continue: "I am cooking mini steaks. We have guns and spotlights. The deer hunting will continue."
Prosecutors allege this hunt involved illegally taking a trophy whitetail deer scoring 143 points, using artificial light, hunting from a vehicle, and failing to retrieve the animal. These communications are cited as overt acts in furtherance of conspiracy charges against all four men.
The allegations extend beyond the November incident, covering multiple years of purported violations involving deer, coyotes, crows, doves, and even a protected vulture. Common themes include hunting without licenses, tags, or permits; hunting out of season; using vehicles and artificial lights; reckless firearm discharge; wanton waste; and illegal sale or trade of wildlife.
Of the accused, Brody J. Harrison faces the most charges with 38 counts, including a level 10 felony for commercialization of wildlife involving deer worth $1,000 or more, two felony animal cruelty counts for chasing coyotes to exhaustion with ATVs and UTVs, and misdemeanors for illegal hunting of deer, coyotes, crows, doves, and a vulture.
Spencer W. Harshman is charged with 18 counts, which include a level 10 felony for commercialization, two animal cruelty felonies involving coyotes, misdemeanors for illegal deer hunting (no licenses, from vehicles, out of season), and interference with law enforcement, with prosecutors noting his role in coordinating via texts about spotlights and firearms.
Tyler E. Dickerson faces 12 counts, mostly tied to the November 1 deer kill, including a level 10 commercialization felony, illegally taking a 143-point trophy deer, hunting without a tag/out of season/from a vehicle, wanton waste, possessing an untagged carcass, reckless discharge from a public road, and conspiracy counts linked to the group texts.
Similarly, Michael W. Bockman is charged with 11 counts, mirroring Dickerson's charges including level 10 commercialization felony, illegal trophy deer take, hunting violations, wanton waste as well as providing false info to a game warden and conspiracy via texts.
As of right now, none of the defendants have entered pleas, and the investigation appears to be ongoing. Updates are expected following the March 26 court appearances where we’re sure our boys are hoping that their lawyers aren’t as quiet as their guns.
