TUSCARAWAS COUNTY, Ohio — A 21-year-old Ohio man has been handed a lengthy sentence after wildlife officials uncovered an investigation that stretched far beyond his home state and involved illegal hunting activity in at least 17 states.
Carter J. Hickey first came to the attention of wildlife authorities in May 2025, after the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife received multiple complaints about his hunting activities.
What initially appeared to be a local wildlife investigation soon expanded into a multistate case.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement, investigators determined that Hickey had been involved in numerous violations across several states. The agency said he had violated wildlife laws in at least 17 states and had additional locations on his radar.
The investigation ultimately resulted in a series of charges and penalties that will significantly restrict Hickey’s ability to hunt and trap in the future.
Hickey Pleads Guilty to 17 Wildlife Offenses
On May 20, Hickey pleaded guilty in New Philadelphia Municipal Court to 17 wildlife-related offenses.
The Fish and Wildlife Service later announced details of the case, saying the offenses included taking wildlife during closed seasons, illegally possessing animals and hunting without permission.
Officials also said Hickey used vehicles to run over animals, adding another serious element to the case.
The wildlife agency’s investigation showed that the violations were not limited to a single location. Instead, authorities said Hickey’s activities crossed state lines, making the case a much broader enforcement matter.
The allegations ultimately resulted in a combination of financial penalties, incarceration, probation and restrictions on Hickey’s future hunting activities.
Ohio Man Ordered to Pay $28,500
Hickey received a substantial financial penalty as part of his sentence. He was ordered to pay more than $12,000 in restitution, along with $5,500 in fines and another $11,000 in penalties.
Together, those amounts total $28,500. The court also ordered Hickey to pay $5,000 to Ohio’s Turn In a Poacher program, which encourages the public to report suspected wildlife violations.
The financial consequences were only one part of the sentence. Hickey must also serve 15 days in jail, complete two years of probation and perform 80 hours of community service.
He has additionally been prohibited from hunting or trapping for five years.
Firearms and Hunting Equipment Forfeited
Authorities also seized or required Hickey to forfeit equipment they said was connected to his illegal activities. The forfeited property includes three firearms, a bow, hunting blinds, decoys and other hunting equipment.
The restrictions represent a major setback for a young man who had been actively involved in hunting but was found to have repeatedly violated wildlife laws.
The case also demonstrated how social media activity can become part of a wildlife investigation.
TikTok Bragging Leads to Public Apology
According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, Hickey used TikTok to brag about his hunting exploits while also spreading false information about his activities.
As part of his sentence, the court ordered him to make a public apology on his social media accounts.
CBP Finds Live Insects Inside Tic Tac Containers During Shipment Inspection at Los Angeles Port
That requirement adds an unusual element to the punishment. Instead of simply facing fines, jail time and a hunting ban, Hickey must now publicly acknowledge the consequences of his actions.
He was also ordered to write a letter of apology to the city of Dover after authorities said he trespassed and unlawfully took a 10-point buck from a public park.
Wildlife Officials Warn About the Cost of Poaching
The Fish and Wildlife Service emphasized that illegal hunting affects more than individual animals.
“Poaching damages far more than one species, it harms trust and puts honest hunters at a disadvantage,” the agency said.
Officials argued that illegal activity can take opportunities away from families who participate in responsible hunting traditions and can threaten wildlife populations that agencies work to conserve.
For Hickey, the multistate investigation has resulted in a sentence that includes jail time, financial penalties, a hunting ban and mandatory public apologies.
The case also serves as a warning to hunters that wildlife violations can carry consequences far beyond a single citation—especially when illegal activity crosses state lines and is documented online.
What do you think about the court ordering a public social media apology in this case? Share your thoughts in the comments.
