Blood trail leads to arrest of New Years' poachers
A suspicious blood spot and drag trail helped lead police in Helena, Mont. to two men who are accused to shooting and killing a trophy deer as it stood in a city alleyway New Year's Day. Zach Wiens, 21, and Sean Jahraus, 20, were arrested on felony charges, including unlawful possession of a game animal, criminal endangerment and accountability to criminal endangerment. The Helena Independent-Review.
Two men face felonies for shooting deer in city
By Independent Record - 01/14/2009
Two Helena men face felony charges for their involvement in a New Year’s Day shooting of a trophy deer within city limits.
Zach Wiens, 21, is accused of pulling the trigger of a high-powered rifle, killing the deer, according to documents filed in Justice Court. Wiens was issued a notice to appear on felony charges of unlawful possession of a game animal and criminal endangerment.
Sean Andrew Jahraus, 20, was arrested Monday on felony charges of accountability to unlawful possession of a game animal and accountability to criminal endangerment for instigating the shooting, court documents say.
Jahraus and Wiens were partying at a friend’s house on Poplar Street into the late night hours of Jan. 1 when the two, who were intoxicated, spotted a deer in the backyard, the documents allege.
The two men drove to Jahraus’ home and retrieved his 7mm rifle. They then relocated the deer down an alleyway, and Wiens shot it once, according to court documents.
Wiens told investigators with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, “All that I could hear in my ear was shoot it, shoot it, shoot it.” The men then returned to the party.
“Wiens stated that he was nervous about shooting the gun in town but wasn’t thinking about the bullet hitting a building at the time because he ‘wasn’t sober,’ ” court documents note.
The men then transported the deer with a truck to Jahraus’ house on Saddle Drive. Wiens then took the deer up South Hills Road, cut its head off and discarded the carcass in a ditch, court documents allege.
The next morning, neighbors noticed a suspicious blood spot and drag trail behind Jahraus’ home and called the Helena Police Department. Officers subsequently reported it to FWP game wardens, who investigated the crime.
Game Warden Kevin Cook said the incident was a “highly dangerous situation.”
“Where they shot was right in town and just a matter of yards from homes and a hotel,” he added.
The chance of that caliber of bullet, made for long distances, passing through the five-point deer was great, according to Cook.
The case was a good collaboration between local agencies, including FWP, the Helena Police Department and the Lewis and Clark County sheriff and attorney’s offices, he added.
Helena Police Chief Troy McGee said he was impressed with the game wardens’ investigation.
“We appreciate their hard work and experience,” McGee said.
Jahraus is being held in the Lewis and Clark County Detention Center in lieu of $10,000 bond.
A suspicious blood spot and drag trail helped lead police in Helena, Mont. to two men who are accused to shooting and killing a trophy deer as it stood in a city alleyway New Year's Day. Zach Wiens, 21, and Sean Jahraus, 20, were arrested on felony charges, including unlawful possession of a game animal, criminal endangerment and accountability to criminal endangerment. The Helena Independent-Review.
Two men face felonies for shooting deer in city
By Independent Record - 01/14/2009
Two Helena men face felony charges for their involvement in a New Year’s Day shooting of a trophy deer within city limits.
Zach Wiens, 21, is accused of pulling the trigger of a high-powered rifle, killing the deer, according to documents filed in Justice Court. Wiens was issued a notice to appear on felony charges of unlawful possession of a game animal and criminal endangerment.
Sean Andrew Jahraus, 20, was arrested Monday on felony charges of accountability to unlawful possession of a game animal and accountability to criminal endangerment for instigating the shooting, court documents say.
Jahraus and Wiens were partying at a friend’s house on Poplar Street into the late night hours of Jan. 1 when the two, who were intoxicated, spotted a deer in the backyard, the documents allege.
The two men drove to Jahraus’ home and retrieved his 7mm rifle. They then relocated the deer down an alleyway, and Wiens shot it once, according to court documents.
Wiens told investigators with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, “All that I could hear in my ear was shoot it, shoot it, shoot it.” The men then returned to the party.
“Wiens stated that he was nervous about shooting the gun in town but wasn’t thinking about the bullet hitting a building at the time because he ‘wasn’t sober,’ ” court documents note.
The men then transported the deer with a truck to Jahraus’ house on Saddle Drive. Wiens then took the deer up South Hills Road, cut its head off and discarded the carcass in a ditch, court documents allege.
The next morning, neighbors noticed a suspicious blood spot and drag trail behind Jahraus’ home and called the Helena Police Department. Officers subsequently reported it to FWP game wardens, who investigated the crime.
Game Warden Kevin Cook said the incident was a “highly dangerous situation.”
“Where they shot was right in town and just a matter of yards from homes and a hotel,” he added.
The chance of that caliber of bullet, made for long distances, passing through the five-point deer was great, according to Cook.
The case was a good collaboration between local agencies, including FWP, the Helena Police Department and the Lewis and Clark County sheriff and attorney’s offices, he added.
Helena Police Chief Troy McGee said he was impressed with the game wardens’ investigation.
“We appreciate their hard work and experience,” McGee said.
Jahraus is being held in the Lewis and Clark County Detention Center in lieu of $10,000 bond.
