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Investigation Leads to Guilty Pleas in Alabama Night Hunting Case

by ABC 33/40 Thu, July 30, 2026 at 11:43 AM

Investigation Leads to Guilty Pleas in Alabama Night Hunting Case

Updated Thu, July 30, 2026 at 12:41 PMUserWay icon for accessibility widget

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Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR)

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A multi-agency investigation into illegal night hunting in northeast Alabama has resulted in guilty pleas for several wildlife-related offenses, according to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR).

The investigation began after Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Conservation Enforcement Officer Sgt. Matt Moran received a complaint about suspected night hunting in Jackson County. Additional reports from Jackson and DeKalb counties, along with information shared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), helped investigators identify patterns of illegal activity.

As the investigation progressed, WFF officers worked alongside the Jackson and DeKalb county sheriffs’ departments and USFWS officers to monitor areas where the suspect was believed to be operating.

During one operation, WFF officers attempted to stop a vehicle after observing behavior consistent with night hunting. According to investigators, the driver fled, leading officers on a pursuit before stopping. Officers later recovered firearms that had allegedly been discarded during the pursuit, with assistance from a local landowner who located additional evidence.

Search warrants executed during the investigation led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition, narcotics, and deer antlers. Investigators also searched another vehicle connected to the case, where they recovered additional firearms and deer racks.

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The defendant later entered guilty pleas to multiple offenses, including hunting at night, hunting without landowner permission, and felony eluding.

WFF officials credited the investigation’s outcome to coordination among state, local and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as assistance from the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.

Michael Weathers, WFF Chief of Enforcement, said the case demonstrates the value of collaboration when investigating significant wildlife violations.

“Operations like this are excellent examples of the partnerships that have formed between state, local and federal law enforcement officers,” Weathers said. “When we have particularly egregious natural resources violations like those that occurred in this case, multiple agencies across all levels of law enforcement coming together to prosecute resource violators is beneficial to all involved.”

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