Illegal Hunting in MS

Two Mississippi men are headed to federal prison on multiple wildlife charges - including illegally spotlighting and killing whitetail deer - and for selling methamphetamine.

Samuel Necaise of Picayune and Mark Necaise of Kilm, were sentenced on June 26 by Senior U. S. District Judge David C. Bramlette in Natchez federal court. Mark Necaise, known as "Scope," received 10 years and one month on two counts related to meth sales and four wildlife violations. Samuel Necaise received three years and 10 months on one count of meth sales and two wildlife violations. Both men had previously pleaded guilty to all charges.

"Operation Stone Duck" is an ongoing joint investigation involving the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the U.S. Attorney's Office and federal agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Services and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

The operation initially focused on the illegal killing of trophy whitetail deer and migratory game birds in MS, however, it led to the discovery of the meth sales as well as the possession and manufacturing of automatic weapons. Most of the spotlighting and poaching of trophy bucks took place on Panther Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Sharkey and Yazoo counties, John C. Stennis Space Center in Hancock County and other private, state and federal properties, said authorities.

They were arrested following a raid in October 2007 which turned up 80 firearms, drugs and 55 mounted whitetail bucks, some of which were poached. Three vehicles were also seized by authorities.

State and federal agencies are working together to put criminals in prison and keep them there. They said, they would do everything they can to put away drug dealers and those who illegally kill wildlife in our great outdoors.