Two Leflore County men are facing multiple charges stemming from the alleged headlighting of deer.
Tommie Peoples, 26, 1900 County Road 245, Lot No. 22, has been charged with headlighting, hunting from a road, not wearing hunter orange clothing, trespassing, hunting without a license and hunting after hours.
Peoples also has been charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle, driving without a license, a window tint violation, no liability insurance and speeding.
Eddie Javori Crigler, 29, 405 N. Third Ave., has been charged with hunting after hours, headlighting, hunting without a license, not wearing hunter orange clothing, and trespassing.
He also faces charges of simple assault and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Both were arrested at about 2 a.m. today.
The arrests follow a pattern of illegal hunting in the area, and headlighting has been a problem, said Maj. Jerry Carter, the North Region law enforcement administrator for the state Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks, which administers game laws.
“We staked out the area. Apparently these guys were caught in the act,” he said.
The violations allegedly occurred in Leflore County, but Carter said he didn’t know the precise location.
Carter’s office covers more than 30 counties and has 60 conservation officers, who enforce state game laws.
It is likely that after the conservation officers arrested Peoples and Crigler, other charges were added when the Leflore County Sheriff’s Department began processing the men, Carter said.
Headlighting carries a minimum fine of $2,000 and the forfeiting of hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for a period of between one and three years, he said.
Carter said citizens are essential in helping to stop illegal hunting.
“We appreciate the general public in helping us to curb headlighting in our area,” he said.
Suspected violations can be reported to local Sheriff’s Departments or by calling the department’s tip line at 1-800-237-6278 (BESMART).
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
