Two men charged for illegally killing three deer in Richmond had their day in court in one of the strongest enforcement outcomes for a wildlife violation in recent years.
Jason Walters was charged with 20 separate wildlife violations for killing the three deer which included a community treasure known as the Hollywood Buck. Walters pleaded guilty to all 20 charges and was sentenced to six months in jail with three months suspended. Fines were accessed totaling $2,500 and replacement costs totaled $11,000. Walters will also lose his hunting privileges for 24 years.
Alan Profitt was charged with six violations related to the illegal killings. Profitt was found guilty and must pay $1,250 in fines and serve 30 days of house arrest.
The Hollywood Buck got its name for its frequent visits to Hollywood Cemetery. He had many followers in Richmond and had been in the area for a decade or more.
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources put out a statement today that read in part: “The considerable penalties included will certainly be a deterrent to future wildlife crime and should give the community a level of comfort that this type of crime is taken very seriously in the Commonwealth.”
Countless hours of investigative work and 10 search warrants led to the charges.
Assistance was provided by the Chesterfield County Police Department, Richmond City Police Department, the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities and Hollywood Cemetery.
DWR will be working with the community and partners to determine the best way to memorialize the Hollywood Buck.
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Crystal Graham
