Southampton, NY - February 2, 2017 - On Jan. 16, ECOs Alena Lawston and Jeremy Eastwood investigated claims of a convicted felon shooting a wild turkey, although the turkey season was closed, in the town of Southampton. The ECOs located the subject and interviewed the man and his relative, who witnessed the shooting. The convicted felon was found to be in possession of two shotguns, one of which was used to shoot the turkey. After the evidence was collected and secured, the man was charged with criminal possession of a firearm, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, taking a wild turkey during the closed season, and failure to properly tag a wild turkey.

If you witness an environmental crime or believe a violation of environmental law occurred please call the DEC Division of Law Enforcement hotline at 1-844-DEC-ECOS (1-844-332-3267).