August 16, 2013
From PickensSentinel.com
PICKENS COUNTY—Seven area residents have been arrested after a four year investigation into what authorities are calling illegal black bear activity.
According to Officials with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the South Carolina Attorney General’s office, the seven men with various crimes including baiting and killing black bears.
Those arrested include: Charles Claude Blowers, David Winston Brown, Ty Cooper Mills, Thomas Elliot Mann, Jason Russell Sullivan, Wesley Caylor Hedden and Sherwood Lanier Patterson.
The seven men face charges such as baiting bear, killing an undersized bear, killing a bear sow with cubs, trespassing, Wildlife Management land abuse, hunting license violations, distribution of marijuana, and conspiracy to violate South Carolina game laws.
The violations could result in fines from $500 to $2,500, and/or jail time ranging from 30 days to two years of incarceration.