LAWTEY, Fla. – An anonymous tipster has been rewarded after social media evidence led to the arrest of two Lawtey men on poaching charges, according to officials from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Two large bucks were killed on a game farm in Lake Butler, leading to charges against Aaron Griffis, 24, and Taylor Wise, 23, including grand theft of livestock.
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FWC Officer Bret Gill received a complaint about shots being fired in the deer pen on Shadd Farms, and another anonymous tip led FWC Reserve Capt. David Lee to online information showing Griffis and Wise bragging about killing a big buck.
According to FWC Investigator Todd Hoyle, Wise posted several pictures of the poaching incident to his Snapchat social media account. In an interview, Wise admitted shooting an 11-point buck out of Shadd Farms’ deer pen while riding in a vehicle with his child and Griffis. He also explained that after dropping his son off with a friend, he and Griffis drove back to the pen, where they cut the fence and dragged out the deer, investigators said. They then returned to Lawtey to clean the deer.
The investigation, which began in November, also revealed that Griffis entered Shadd’s deer pen another night, officers said.
“After exercising a search warrant issued by the state attorney’s office on Griffis’ social media private messages, we found videos that he posted of himself walking through the woods, shining a light and shooting at a deer,” said FWC Lt. Clay Huff. “There were comments accompanying the video, stating it was a 15-point deer at which he was shooting. Mr. Shadd advised that he had found a 15-point buck dead in his pen.”
Wise was charged with:
- Trespass by projectile (third-degree felony).
- Grand theft livestock (third-degree felony).
- Conspiracy to commit grand theft (third-degree felony).
- Breaking or injuring fences containing animals (third-degree felony).
- Child neglect (without harm) (third-degree felony).
- Taking deer at night (first-degree misdemeanor).
- Firearm discharge from public road (first-degree misdemeanor).
Griffis has been charged with:
- Trespass while armed (third-degree felony).
- Grand theft livestock (third-degree felony, two counts).
- Conspiracy to commit grand theft (third-degree felony).
- Breaking or injuring fences containing animals (third-degree felony).
- Taking deer at night (first-degree misdemeanor, two counts).
- Possession of firearm by felon (third-degree felony).
- Trespass (first-degree misdemeanor).
Charges were direct filed with the Union County State Attorney’s Office.
“Mr. Shadd appreciated the work that was done and has given a reward to the person who supplied the anonymous tip about the suspects,” Huff said.
In addition to the reward given by Shadd, the person who reported the poaching incident also received a reward from the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Program.
Anyone who suspects a fish, wildlife, boating or environmental law violation can call the Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-3922 or text to Tip@MyFWC.com. Violations can also be reported online at MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert by clicking on “Report Online.”
Violations can be reported anonymously and tipsters may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.