6 people facing more than 100 charges for illegally killing animals in alleged poaching ring

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Six people who made up an alleged poaching ring face more than 100 criminal charges for illegally killing several hundred animals, including deer, turkey, a fox and a domestic pet.

According to a news release from Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officials, game wardens stopped the group in July 2024 after seeing them use "high-powered lights to illuminate fields from a vehicle along public roadways," a practice the department said is known as spotlighting.

While searching the vehicle, game wardens found .22-caliber firearms, spotlighting equipment and open alcoholic beverages.

Investigators said the group told the game wardens they were racoon hunting, but it wasn't open season at the time.

Throughout the investigation, Fish and Wildlife officials said game wardens were able to uncover a "coordinated effort to illegally take wildlife across Hardin and Grayson counties."

The investigation led to a total of 116 criminal charges.

Allen Sauer, 21, of Leitchfield, faces 76 charges, including 52 counts of illegally taking deer and/or turkey, spotlighting, animal cruelty and unlawful transaction with a minor.

The five other suspects include:

Aden Walker, 21, of Elizabethtown, faces charges of illegally taking wildlife, spotlighting and discharging a firearm from a roadway.
Malachi Delatour, 18, of Leitchfield, faces chargers of illegally taking wildlife, animal cruelty and unlawful transaction with a minor.
Joshua Stevenson, 20, of Leitchfield, faces charges of illegally taking wildlife and hunting without permission.
Bradley Webb, 18, of Leitchfield, faces charges of illegally taking wildlife and taking wildlife from a vehicle.
Madison Whittington, 20, of Leitchfield, faces charges of illegal taking of deer and/or turkey.

Fish and Wildlife officials encourage the pubic to report suspected poaching to the department by calling 800-25-ALERT or texting "KFWLAW" to tip411 (847411). Reports can also be made to your local Kentucky Game Warden, which can be found by clicking here.

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