Times-Tribune staff
Two Mississippi men are facing felony charges in Madison County for allegedly poaching turkeys in the Cahokia Canal area.
Madison County State’s Attorneys on Friday charged Hunter D. Baxter, 28, of Lucedale, Miss., and Dustin D. Goldsmith, 38, of McCall Creek., Miss., with felony unlawful possession of wild game.
Baxter faces an additional felony count of unlawful use of weapons, which charges he used a silencer while poaching the birds, state’s attorneys said in a news release.
Both men also face numerous violations of the state wildlife code for which they were issued summonses, including counts of using thermal imaging while taking the turkeys, taking wildlife during closed hours and possession of turkey taken illegally.
Associate Judge Ronald Slemer set bail for Baxter at $50,000 and bail for Goldsmith at $40,000.
In the news release, state’s attorneys said Baxter and Goldsmith possessed multiple turkeys with a combined value exceeding $3,000, for profit or commercial purposes. Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine described the suspects alleged actions as “cheating” and “unfair” to hunters who follow the law.
“When people violate game laws, it’s cheating,” Haine said. “It’s unfair to all of the ethical hunters who practice good sportsmanship and are good stewards of our natural resources, and whose fees support conservation efforts. The State’s Attorney’s Office will always strive not only to keep our neighborhoods safe, but also to safeguard the resources of our region and our state.”
The investigation began in March 2022 and was conducted by Conservation Police from Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The investigation involved the execution of search warrants prepared by the State’s Attorney’s Office, according to the release.
“There is no sportsmanship in the type of conduct that is alleged here,” Haine said. “We take it seriously when there are egregious violations of the Illinois Wildlife Code, and poachers should know that we are prepared to file felony charges when appropriate.”
