20-Year-Old Arrested After Deer Killing Spree in Wyoming

According to reports, the accused, Joshua Wielhouwer was arraigned earlier this week on 18 wildlife-related charges including nine counts of unlicensed taking of a big game animal and nine counts of wanton destruction of a big game animal, according to documents from Park County Fifth Judicial District Circuit Court.

All of the deer, which included one fawn, two bucks and six does, were found with broadhead hunting arrow wounds and were found scattered across Cody between August 27 and September 4.

The deaths were initially regarded as somewhat of a mystery around Cody until the night of September 4th, when Wyoming Game and Fish Game Warden Spencer Carstens and another warden spotted the suspect. The game wardens stated that they heard a sound “consistent with a shot from a compound bow” and saw a man wielding a bow and “shining a light on the ground.”

A chase followed but wardens were unable to keep up to the suspect, losing him during the pursuit. Following the escape, an arrest warrant was issued and three days later, the suspect turned himself in to authorities.

Wielhouwer remains in custody on $36,000 bail ahead of a trial slated for February 6.

Each of the 18 charges carry a one-year jail term along with a fine of up to $10,000.