A Muhlenberg County District Court judge has ordered a local hunting guide to pay $44,000 in restitution to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources following his conviction on multiple hunting violations.
According to Fish and Wildlife, wardens discovered 59-year-old Timothy Smithwick of Drakesboro was operating an illegal guide service on property in Muhlenberg County..
Second District Game Wardens and the division’s Special Investigation Unit reportedly conducted an investigation into Smithwick guiding hunters without proper licensing and for illegally baiting his property for turkey.
After months of investigation, including three search warrants, authorities reportedly conducted compliance checks at the outfitter’s property on May 4.
Fish and Wildlife officials said Smithwick was arrested on a bench warrant for numerous fish and wildlife charges that included eight counts of illegal take of turkey, eight counts of illegal guiding, trapping violations, resident hunting/trapping without a license, and convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
Officials also reported that five hunters from Georgia—39-year-old Jason Johnson, 26-year-old Colby Stancil, 64-year-old James Stancil, 30-year-old Joseph Todd, and 51-year-old Charles Jones—were cited for various offenses, including hunting without licenses or permits, hunting with unplugged shotguns, and the illegal taking or pursuit of turkey. In addition, Colby Stancil was arrested after fleeing into a wooded area to hide an unplugged shotgun, electronic turkey calls, illegal drugs, and for hunting over bait.
