On July 24, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement announced charges against four individuals involved in a scheme to defraud hunters seeking Osceola turkey hunts. Larry William Collins, David Preston Mills, Paul Neil Beckham, and Vernon Robert Flowers were charged with multiple felonies, including organized fraud, conspiracy to commit organized fraud, cheating, and the unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
FWC's investigation, led by Investigators Camille Soverel and Erika Zimmerman with assistance from a team of officers, investigators, and forensic scientists, revealed that Collins and his co-conspirators advertised and provided fraudulent nonwild Osceola turkey hunts to unsuspecting victims through the Razzor Ranch website. Victims were led to believe they were paying for a genuine Osceola turkey hunting experience but were instead guided to hunt pen-raised turkeys bred to resemble the Osceola species.
Forensic science played a crucial role in verifying the fraudulent nature of the turkey hunts by providing irrefutable evidence that the turkeys in question were not genuine Osceola turkeys. An FWC geneticist conducted DNA analysis on feathers collected from the hunted turkeys, comparing their genetic profiles to that of known Osceola turkeys. Additionally, morphological examinations highlighted discrepancies in physical characteristics such as size, feather coloration, and leg structure, further confirming that the turkeys were pen-raised domestics and not wild Osceolas.
The scheme involved Collins operating the Razzor Ranch Blanket Hunting Preserve in Hardee County and Mills managing a game farm in Charlotte County where the nonwild turkeys were raised. Mills and Beckham acted as guides leading the hunts while Flowers mounted the fraudulent turkeys for victims at his taxidermy business. Collins received kickbacks from Flowers for referring taxidermy business.
Collins fraudulently advertised “Osceola” turkey hunts in Charlotte and Hardee counties. He accepted money for these hunts and coordinated with his guides (Beckham and Mills) to lead victims to hunt pen-raised turkeys bred by Collins to appear as Osceola turkeys.
The charges filed against the defendants are as follows:
Larry William Collins (DOB: 12/8/1965) of Punta Gorda: Organized Fraud, Conspiracy to Commit Organized Fraud, Cheating, Unlawful use of a Two-Way Communication Device.
David Preston Mills (DOB 7/9/1967) of Arcadia: Organized Fraud, Conspiracy to Commit Organized Fraud.
Paul Neil Beckham (DOB 6/3/1975) of Punta Gorda: Organized Fraud, Conspiracy to Commit Organized Fraud, Cheating, Unlawful use of a Two-Way Communication Device.
Vernon Robert Flowers (DOB 07/28/1952) of Naples: Organized Fraud, Conspiracy to Commit Organized Fraud.
“Collins knowingly and intentionally represented his captive raised turkeys as Osceola turkeys for unsuspecting hunters to pay large sums of money to hunt the Florida Osceola wild turkey,” said Lt. Col. Randy Bowlin, FWC Deputy Director of Law Enforcement over North Operations and Investigations/Intelligence.
Following these fraudulent hunts, Collins referred victims to Flowers' taxidermy business for mounting their fraudulent trophies. He received a 10% kickback from Flowers on all taxidermy work referred.
The FWC Division of Law Enforcement is aware that this type of fraud is occurring in Florida. Additional violators are being identified and investigated. Officers will educate the public about regulations regarding domestic or hybrid turkey releases at permitted facilities like game farms and hunting preserves.
“This fraudulent scheme not only deceived hunters but also exploited a revered species of Florida’s wildlife,” said Bowlin. “We want public landowners to know we are working diligently so captive raised nonwild turkeys will not be released near their lands.”
The Osceola turkey is found only in peninsular Florida distinguished by narrower white bars on its wing feathers compared to eastern wild turkeys. Information about hunting wild turkey in Florida can be found at MyFWC.com/hunting under “Wild Turkey.”
Law enforcement will continue investigating leads on fraudulent turkey hunts. The public can report suspicious activity anonymously via Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922) or text Tip411 with keyword "FWC" followed by information about location and violation.
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