Six adults and three juveniles charged with 113 hunting violations appeared in DeKalb County General Sessions Court on April 9, with eight entering guilty pleas to some of the charges under negotiated settlements.

Six adults, including Abbey Caldwell, Austin Cook, Daniel Stanley, Evan Cripps and Dustin Cook, as well as three juveniles all from DeKalb County along with Charles Calvert of Warren County, faced charges including spot-lighting, hunting during a closed season, hunting from a public road, and hunting from a motorized vehicle.

According to a press release from the TWRA, "The case started when TWRA Warren County Officer Pete Geesling, received a tip regarding illegal spotlighting in late December. He and fellow Warren County TWRA Officer Jason Ramsey started the investigation.

DeKalb County TWRA Officers Joe Fortner and Tony Cross joined the case when tips indicating illegal activity in DeKalb County came in from social media around the first of January. After collecting further evidence, the officers interviewed eight suspects during the first weekend in February. Three suspects were interviewed multiple times.

"Those indicted admitted to driving a 20-mile stretch of road and illegally taking 11 deer on different nights. The men surrendered five deer racks, three rifles and one bow. The men also consented to the search of a vehicle. TWRA Officers removed the carpet in the trunk of the vehicle for DNA testing of blood and hair, used to prove the number of deer transported. Officers also found a spotlight, empty cartridges and a knife. The men surrendered and consented to the search of an I Phone, which revealed several incriminating photos.

"Officers worked with the Assistant District Attorney, Greg Strong, to determine 113 charges for the six adults and three juveniles. After determining charges, all suspects involved in the case met with officers, who cited warrants but did not physically arrest any of the men. All pled guilty. Four of the men were offered pretrial diversions from the Assistant District Attorney General. Three pled guilty but were not offered pretrial diversions. Eight of the nine were sentenced. The ninth, an unnamed juvenile is also facing several unrelated violations and that case has not yet been settled in court."

The eight defendants who appeared in court on April 9 were fined a total of $10,329.00, received a combined 22 years of revoked hunting privileges and 16 years of suspended probation, and all eight must retake the hunter education course.