News Release

FWC looking for father and son on poaching charges

December 21, 2007
Contact: Capt. Gregg Eason, 352-732-1225 or 352-427-6739

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) law enforcement officers are looking for a father and son from Marion County who are wanted on felony and misdemeanor charges relating to guns, trespass and wildlife poaching in Marion and Putnam counties.

FWC officers jailed the same two men about three weeks ago on drug charges and an active warrant. Both men posted bond and were released from jail on those charges before the new charges were filed.

Philip Michael Sheridan, 55, of 15511 N.E. 239 Lane, Fort McCoy, is now facing charges of taking doe during closed season, possession of antlerless deer during closed season, and unsafe storage of firearms. FWC officers took him to jail on Nov. 28 for possession of a controlled substance, evidence tampering, possession of cannabis (less than 20 grams), possession of drug paraphernalia, and contributing to the delinquency of a child.

Meanwhile, in Putnam County, Sheridan’s son, Michael Scott Sheridan, 31, of the same address, is facing three counts of felony trespass, taking doe during closed season, and taking hen turkey during closed season. The younger Sheridan is also facing charges in Marion County for possession of doe during closed season. These charges are in addition to an outstanding warrant from Putnam County for failure to pay child support. FWC Officer Troy Starling arrested him for that charge on Nov. 28.

All of the charges came as a result of a Nov. 28 FWC investigation of suspected illegal hunting activity on private property in the Orange Creek area of Putnam County. FWC officers were monitoring the area where they suspected the poachers were accessing Cabbage Creek Hunting Club, when the younger Sheridan arrived by airboat.

The investigation led them to the senior Sheridan’s home in Hog Valley where, in addition to the deer and turkey meat related to the poaching charges, they discovered the drugs, loaded guns, underfed dogs and two children living in deplorable conditions.

“This whole situation is a total disgrace. Beyond the blatant disregard for wildlife laws and private property rights, no child should ever have to live in a home filled with drugs and unsecured firearms,” said Capt. Gregg Eason, an area supervisor for FWC’s Northeast Region. “Those were the worst living conditions I have ever seen in my 13 years in law enforcement.”

The Department of Children and Families removed the children from the home, and the Marion County Animal Control removed the dogs. One dog was euthanized because of its poor condition.
Officers seized as evidence 16 firearms (most were loaded with round in chamber), marijuana, deer and turkey meat, various types of controlled narcotics, scales and other drug paraphernalia, and DNA evidence for wildlife identification.

The charges are third-degree felony (maximum penalty five years in the state prison and $5,000 fine); second-degree misdemeanor (maximum penalty of one year in jail and $1,000 fine); and second-degree misdemeanor (maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and $500 fine).