Man Pleads Guilty To Seven Wildlife Violations

  • Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officers worked for many months utilizing a popular social media website, persistence and an anonymous email to catch an offender for a second time. Tyler Kruz Murphy, of Monroe County, plead guilty to seven violations including killing big game in closed season, killing big game over bait, hunting without a license, violation of big game bag limits, possession of illegally taken wildlife and violation of big game tagging/check-in procedures.  

The case started when an off-duty wildlife officer encountered Murphy while hunting private land in April of 2015. Murphy shared details of a turkey he shot the previous day, not knowing he was talking with a wildlife officer. The off-duty Wildlife Officer, Landon Reeves, also noted odd behavior of turkeys in the area which led him to believe baiting was taking place. Wildlife Officer Reeves contacted Monroe County Wildlife Officer Kip Kite with the information he gathered during his encounter with Murphy.  

Wildlife Officer Kite was familiar with Murphy. Tyler Kruz Murphy had been charged in 2012 with spotlighting deer, hunting/killing big game in a closed season, shooting from a public road and use of an illegal weapon in Vonore Industrial Park. Wildlife Officer Kite noted Murphy had not checked the turkey he claimed to shoot the previous day.  

A few days later, Wildlife Officer Kite received an anonymous email about a photo posted to a popular social media website. Murphy had posted a photo of two dead turkeys on social media stating, “first time killing two with one shot”.  Furthermore, Wildlife Officers Kite and Reeves found the property Murphy was hunting during the initial encounter had indeed been baited. Wildlife Officer Kite continued to watch this property, hoping Murphy would return to hunt. The investigation had stalled at this point, but Wildlife Officers stayed persistent and determined. 

That persistence paid off. On May 12, Wildlife Officers gained access to the violator’s social media page. Many incriminating photos dating back to September of 2014 were posted on social media. A warrant was served on May 16, and several Wildlife officers were present to search the home of Tyler Kruz Murphy. Murphy was arrested and charged with 17 different wildlife crimes. He willingly gave written statements admitting to the violations in question. Items used in the wildlife crimes including a muzzleloader, shotgun, compound bow, cell phones and a truck were seized as evidence during the search. An eight point buck shoulder- mount, three turkey beards, turkey spurs, turkey tail fans and turkey wings were also confiscated.  

Murphy appeared in court before Judge Dwaine Thomas in Monroe County on July 28 and pleaded guilty to seven violations. Murphy was ordered to pay over $2,700 in fines and he lost his privilege to hunt, fish and trap for a period of five years in Tennessee and in any member state of the Wildlife Violators Compact. The confiscated muzzleloader, shotgun, compound bow and truck along with the eight point buck shoulder mount and turkey parts were declared contraband by order of Judge Thomas.  

This case was made possible through the hard work, determination and a tip from a law-abiding sportsman. Wildlife Officer Kite is grateful and encourages, “Any person that witnesses or has reason to believe that someone is violating wildlife laws should contact TWRA through a regional office. Without the anonymous email, this case might have ended without Murphy being held accountable for all of his known crimes”. Wildlife Officers Kip Kite and Joe Pike also stated, “We’re very grateful for Judge Dwaine Thomas for taking a firm stance against wildlife violators. It helps to have a judge that understands how and why wildlife officers enforce game laws. We’d also like to extend gratitude to all the wildlife officers involved that helped make this a successful case. It’s an honor to work with people that are truly dedicated to protecting wildlife of this state and enforcing wildlife and boating laws to the best of their ability”. 

Visit tnwillife.org for more information on hunting, the agency and wildlife laws.

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