FWC charges Georgia man for defrauding Florida citizens
On May 7, investigators with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) filed charges against Rodney Edward Smith, 39, of Chatsworth, Georgia, in Gilchrist County. Smith faces four felony counts related to defrauding Florida residents.
While incarcerated for false imprisonment and other charges at Macon State Prison in Oglethorpe, Georgia, Smith orchestrated an elaborate fraud scheme targeting Florida hunters between July 1, 2025, and April 30, 2026. Using smuggled cell phones, multiple online aliases, social media profiles and dozens of phone numbers, Smith posted fraudulent hunting lease advertisements for properties he did not own or control.
A hunting lease is an agreement between a landowner and a hunter allowing the hunter to access and hunt on private land under agreed-upon terms. Smith negotiated lease terms and collected deposits from multiple unsuspecting victims in 15 Florida counties, defrauding Florida hunters of thousands of dollars.
“By offering fraudulent hunting leases, he not only stole from Florida citizens, but also damaged the trust between hunters and landowners that is essential to Florida’s hunting tradition,” said Lt. Col Randy Bowlin, FWC Deputy Director of Law Enforcement over Investigations and Intelligence. “Our officers remain committed to protecting the public and resources by supporting lawful hunting opportunities across the state.”
On Aug.16, Smith was extradited from the Georgia prison to Florida on a warrant to face the following charges:
- Fraudulently offering property for sale or lease, first-degree felony
- Scheme to defraud less than $20,000, third-degree felony
- Illegal use of two-way communication device, third-degree felony
- Cheating, third-degree felony
Bond was set at $700,000.
The FWC thanks the Florida Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution for its assistance with the case, as well as the Georgia Dept. of Corrections and Dalton Police Department in Georgia for their support during the investigation.
Wildlife and resource violations are very serious and the FWC encourages the public to report them by downloading the FWC Wildlife Alert app, calling the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922), or submitting a tip online at MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert.