Delton L. Hillman Jr., 42, and James H. Johnson, 43, both of Leesville, were each cited in separate incidents for allegedly possessing a spotted fawn on July 14.

Acting on an anonymous tip from the Operation Game Thief hot-line, Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division Sgt. Bill Tyree visited the residences of Hillman and Johnson. Hillman admitted to Tyree that he had a spotted fawn in his house, but it was now dead. Hillman stated that his sister had found the spotted fawn and brought it to him. He further claimed that he had tried to take care of it, but the deer would not eat. 

Johnson admitted to Tyree that he also had a spotted fawn in his possession.  Johnson stated that the fawn had gotten injured in a fence and he had planned on raising it. 

Tyree cited both Hillman and Johnson for possessing a spotted fawn and issued each a summons to pay $524.54 to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for restitution of the deer. Both fawns were seized and disposed of later. The dead fawn seized from Hillman appeared to have died from malnutrition. The fawn seized from Johnson also appeared to be severely malnourished. LDWF Game Division Specialist Lynn Bennett examined the animal and decided that it should be put down due to it's poor condition.

The penalty for possessing a spotted fawn is a fine of up to $750 and jail for up to 30 days.