In an announcement made late last week, Kentucky authorities proved they weren’t playing after dismantling what they describe as a "major" poaching operation, leading to the arrest of six young men who have now been slapped with over 100 criminal charges. The group is accused of illegally killing several hundred animals, including deer, turkey, foxes, and even a domestic pet, primarily by jacking them up at night using a spotlight.
The investigation, led by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources 3rd District game wardens, began in July 2024 during a routine traffic stop. Wardens Sgt. Steven Nelson and Logan Reynolds pulled over a vehicle observed using lights to illuminate fields from public roads in Grayson County. The suspects claimed they were hunting raccoons, despite no open season being in effect at the time. With their suspicions on high alert, the wardens proceeded to search the vehicle which revealed multiple .22-caliber firearms, spotlighting equipment, and open alcohol containers, sparking a deeper probe that soon uncovered a coordinated poaching network.
Over the following year, investigators gathered evidence of systematic wildlife exploitation across the two counties. Authorities seized additional firearms and gear, confirming the group's involvement in illegal hunting practices that violated state regulations on seasons, methods, and permissions. The operation came to light publicly on Friday, when KDFWR announced the charges and the scale of the violations.
The six individuals, all in their late teens or early 20s, are now facing a combined 116 charges. Five of the suspects hail from Leitchfield in Grayson County, while the sixth is from Elizabethtown in Hardin County. Leading the list with the lion’s share of charges is 21-year-old Allen Sauer of Leitchfield, who was hit with 76 violations in total. His counts include 52 instances of illegally taking deer or turkey, spotlighting, animal cruelty, and unlawful transaction with a minor.
The others facing charges include Aden Walker, 21, of Elizabethtown, charged with illegal take of wildlife, spotlighting, and discharging a firearm from a roadway; Malachi Delatour, 18, of Leitchfield, facing charges for illegal take, animal cruelty, and unlawful transaction with a minor; Joshua Stevenson, 20, of Leitchfield, accused of illegal take and hunting without permission; Bradley Webb, 18, of Leitchfield, charged with illegal take and taking wildlife from a vehicle; and Madison Whittington, 20, of Leitchfield, facing charges for illegal take of deer or turkey.
Local residents in Hardin and Grayson counties have expressed awareness of the ongoing investigation, with some noting increased warden presence in rural areas over the past year.
As of now, no court dates or pleas have been publicly reported, but the case is expected to proceed through the local judicial system. KDFWR encourages the public to report suspected poaching via their anonymous tip line at 1-800-25-ALERT or by contacting local game wardens, noting that community vigilance was key in this investigation.
