Two Michigan men face multiple charges over a series of wildlife crimes, including the illegal killing of deer and the inhumane killing of a porcupine, authorities said. Nicholas Patnode, 19, and Zander Garrett, 20, were arraigned last week in Kalkaska County court following their arrests on April 12, ClickOnDetroit reported.
The case against the men initiated after a tip-off to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) led to an investigation that started in 2022, CBS News Detroit said. Officials discovered that the men had shot at least six deer, including a large buck, from the window of a truck, and cruelly ended the life of a porcupine.
Patnode is facing 11 charges, including two counts of killing and torturing animals, a felony that carries a punishment of up to four years in jail or a $5,000 fine, according to Detroit Free Press. He also faces charges for six counts of wildlife conservation violation and other misdemeanors, such as using another person's hunting and fishing license and possessing a bow or crossbow in a vehicle on public land.
Garrett also has several charges to his name, including the killing and torturing of animals and wildlife conservation violations. Both are due back in court on May 20. A third individual involved, a juvenile, secured a plea deal through the juvenile court system, ClickOnDetroit added.
Jason Haines, the chief of the DNR's Law Enforcement Division, emphasized the gravity of the crimes, stating, per CBS News Detroit, "When there’s this many violations, including torturing animals, education only goes so far." He stressed that prosecution should serve as a warning to deter others from committing similar offenses. Information on natural resource violations can be reported confidentially to the hotline at 800-292-7800 with potential rewards for information leading to an arrest and conviction, as noted by the authorities.
