A Muhlenberg County man is set to pay a hefty sum in restitution to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife for multiple turkey hunting violations.
According to a news release, a Muhlenberg County District Court Judge has ordered 59-year-old Timothy Smithwick of Drakesboro to pay $44,000 in restitution after an investigation by the Law Enforcement Division Game Wardens discovered that he had been operating an illegal guide service on his property in the county.
The investigation began months ago into the accusation that Smithwick was guiding hunters without the proper licensing and illegally baiting his property for turkey.
Following that investigation, which included multiple search of his property and compliance checks, Smithwick was arrested on numerous charges, including 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. He was later convicted on multiple hunting violations.
Five hunters from Georgia were also charged in connection with the case on various charges, including hunting without licenses/permits, hunting with unplugged shotguns and the illegal take or pursuit of turkey.