JEFFERSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE — Three Jefferson County residents were fined and had their hunting, fishing and trapping privileges revoked after an investigation by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources into illegal hunting activities. The investigation began on Dec. 26, 2024, after a Jefferson County Sheriff dispatch alerted the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to a possible road-hunting incident near Douglas Dam Road around 12:30 a.m.

A Jefferson County Sheriff deputy located a vehicle occupied by 19-year-old Marcus Duignan, 22-year-old Malina Allen of Strawberry Plains, and a juvenile boy. Deputies found a five-point buck head in the truck bed of the vehicle, which was taken around 3 a.m. on Christmas Day.

A consensual search of a mobile phone revealed photo and video evidence depicting additional wildlife violations by the group. The evidence included photos showing a revoked hunter taking wildlife and videos depicting spotlighting and the unlawful killing of two elk and four deer in Kentucky. Additional photos showed possession of American alligators and illegal possession of venomous snakes.

The violations included Class I wildlife without a permit, hunting in a closed season, spotlighting, hunting without a license, hunting from a public road, and tagging violations. Deputies seized multiple firearms, bows, a False Water Cobra, and two American alligators from the group.

Duignan was fined $1,388 in fines and court costs and had his hunting, fishing, and trapping privileges revoked for two years. Allen was fined $1,259 in fines and court costs, had her hunting, fishing, and trapping privileges revoked for one year, and was placed on unsupervised probation. The juvenile was fined $3,350, had hunting, fishing, and trapping privileges revoked for two years, and was required to retake a hunter education class.

Wildlife violations can be reported to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency or to the Poaching Hotline at 1-800-831-1174. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources also participated in the investigation that led to the charges.