Facebook bragging about poaching leads to charges against man

A convicted felon who posted images on Facebook about his poaching exploits attracted the attention of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Internet Crimes Unit and now faces seven felony charges and six misdemeanor charges related to his illegal activities.

The department's investigation into Facebook posts by Darin Lee Waldo, 43, of Davenport, Fla., led it to believe that he and friends may have been poaching game in Florida's Lake Marion Creek Wildlife Management Area during closed season. Waldo is a convicted felon who cannot legally possess firearms.

"Our investigators were able to gain Waldo's confidence over the Internet," said Lt. George Wilson, supervisor of the Internet Crimes Unit.

Waldo not only exchanged images of illegally killed game with FWC investigators via the Internet, but also took part in chat room conversations about his alleged actions and allegedly invited undercover agents to participate in two illegal hunts, eventually leading to his arrest Saturday by Polk County Sheriff's Office deputies.

"Waldo was also trespassing and poaching on private ranches before hunting season, stealing Florida's wildlife from landowners who were maintaining conservation programs," Wilson said.

Waldo's third-degree felony charges, each punishable by up to a $5,000 fine and/or five years in prison, include four counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and three counts of armed trespass. He also faces six second-degree misdemeanor charges, each punishable by up to a $500 fine and/or 60 days in jail.

In the first year since the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission created its Internet Crimes Unit, investigators initiated 168 investigations that have resulted in 177 arrests and 92 warnings.

-- Kelly Burgess
twitter.com/latimesoutposts

Photo: This Facebook photo posted by Darin Lee Waldo posing with white-tailed deer eventually led to his arrest on felony charges. Credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

 

Comments

[RogerG]

Robbie...respecfully, you're an idiot. Read the story. He's a serial poacher....ILLEGAL. He does this because it's the only way he can eat? Give me a break!

[effelarr]

@ Robbie Morris: If a man poaches to feed his starving children and posts pictures on Facebook, is it wrong? Are you seriously speculating that he can't find a job and is hunting to eat, but then takes the time to trade pictures and invite others along for the ride?

[Robbie Morris]

Here's a guy who is down on his luck. He tried to find a job but his past made that very hard. So instead of going out and robbing a store or person. He did the only other thing so he could eat. He did not not come from a very rich family. So how does a man eat without work. there's alot not being told here. Now do you think he's the only man hunting trying to eat? Law is very one sided. It doesn't account for everthing going on.