West TN man pleads guilty to unlawful killing of deer on state penitentiary property
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE TWRA:
LAUDERDALE COUNTY MAN CONVICTED FOR ILLEGALLY KILLING DEER ON STATE PENITENTIARY PROPERTY
JACKSON, Tenn. — Terry Sellers, a 53-year-old from Henning, recently pled guilty to two counts of illegal possession and one count of hunting without permission in the Lauderdale County General Sessions Court. As a result, he will lose his hunting privileges for six years and must pay $17,500 in restitution to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). Additionally, Sellers is required to pay $850 to a taxidermist.
In early January 2025, TWRA Lieutenant Tim Ward received reports about a 15-point, double drop-tine deer that had been killed in Lauderdale County. Lieutenant Ward was familiar with this deer, as it had been spotted frequently around the West Tennessee State Penitentiary (WTSP), where hunting is prohibited.
Lieutenant Ward launched an investigation and interviewed several witnesses, which resulted in a ping warrant being issued for Mr. Seller’s cell phone. This court order legally authorizes law enforcement to access a cell phone’s location data to determine its real-time or historical whereabouts on specific dates and times.
The warrant and corroborating evidence showed that Mr. Sellers had illegally killed three deer on the WTSP property, where hunting is prohibited. The three bucks had a combined gross score of 491 5/8 inches and were declared contraband by Lauderdale County General Sessions Judge Scott Lovelace. TWRA will use these deer for educational displays.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for protecting, managing, and conserving fish and wildlife species for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors. The Agency also maintains public safety through law enforcement and safety education on waterways.
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