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Special operation nets Yell County poachers
PLAINVIEW - Wildlife poaching is a serious problem in Arkansas. The problem was apparent on Jan. 13 when four men were arrested after a yearlong investigation headed by wildlife officers with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

With the assistance of the Yell County Sheriff’s Office, the 15th Judicial Drug Task Force and the Plainview City Marshal, wildlife officers from the AGFC’s Search Warrant and Arrest Team, Special Operations Unit and local wildlife officers arrested Kristopher Burnett, 21, Brandon Ziesemer, 26, Bretford Thomas, 47, and Frank Cardwell, 18, for charges stemming from the investigation.

The case began in February 2005, according to Lt. Greg Rae with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Cpl. Andy Tackett, the wildlife officer in Yell County, arrested Burnett and Ziesemer for night hunting violations in the fall of 2004. “Cpl. Tackett later learned that the two subjects continued their poaching rampage even after their convictions by Judge Bill Strait in Yell County Court,” Rae said.

Tackett later contacted the AGFC’s Special Operations Unit Supervisor and the ball starting rolling, Rae explained. “Cpl. Tackett and officers from the Special Operations Unit worked hand in hand over the next several months gathering evidence targeting the Yell County men. Especially Ziesemer and Burnett,” Rae said.

Charges stemming from the operation in Yell County were; 3 counts of night hunting and 1 count of wild turkey season restrictions on Burnett. Ziesemer was charged with 3 counts of night hunting, 3 counts of hunting or fishing after revocation of privileges, 1 count quail season restrictions, 1 count wasting edible portions of game and 1 count littering.

Thomas and Cardwell were charged with 1 count of night hunting each. Ziesemer and Burnett were also charged in Perry County with 3 counts of night hunting each and 1 count of hunting or fishing after revocation each.  Burnett was charged with 1 count of turkey season restrictions in Perry County.

During the investigation in December, Cpl. Tackett served warrants on Ziesemer and Burnett for failure to pay fines on previous charges and arrested Ziesemer for hunting after revocation on Dec. 4.

As a result of the search of the residences and vehicles of Ziesemer and Thomas, 28 items were seized as evidence for court including 5 firearms, 9 deer head mounts or antlers, some of which were still in velvet. Deer parts were also found scattered throughout the house and yard, along with 1 turkey fan, drug paraphernalia and numerous photos of deer kills.

According to Rae, Yell County Prosecutor Tom Tatum II said that he would be seeking restitution for all the wildlife killed during the investigation, possible Game and Fish violations from evidence seized, pending charges by the 15th Judicial Drug Task Force as well as investigations by other agencies.

Game and Fish fines totaled $27,470 in Yell County and $16,800 in Perry County for a poaching spree throughout the two counties. 

Rae said that the operation would not have been successful without the dedication and determination of Cpl. Andy Tackett and the special operations unit investigators working diligently throughout the entire process.

 

 

 

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