A local man is among 24 suspects facing more than 1,400 charges in the Texas Game Wardens’ “Ghost Deer” investigation, one of the state’s largest deer smuggling cases, officials said.
Officials said Jared Utter, 52, of Pipe Creek, surrendered to authorities as the probe, which spans 11 counties, nears a possible conclusion.
Ken Schlaudt, 64, of San Antonio, owner of four deer breeding facilities and one release site, and Bill Bowers, 55, of San Angelo, the manager of one facility, also turned themselves in on felony tampering with a governmental record charges.
Both allegedly entered false information into the Texas Wildlife Information Management System to facilitate illegal smuggling of white-tailed breeder deer.
They face more than 100 misdemeanor charges in Tom Green County related to unlawful breeder deer activities.
The Texas Game Warden department said investigation uncovered widespread, coordinated deer breeding violations, including smuggling captive breeder and freerange white-tailed deer between breeder facilities and ranches, chronic wasting disease testing violations, license violations and misdemeanor and felony drug charges involving the possession or mishandling of controlled sedation drugs.
Other suspects include individuals from San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Beaumont, Orange Grove, and Rockport.
Cases are pending in Bandera, Bee, Brazoria, Duval, Edwards, Jim Wells, Live Oak, Montgomery, Tom Green, Travis, and Webb counties.
According to a press release, the investigation began in March 2024, when wardens discovered initial violations during a traffic stop. That incident revealed a larger network of illegal deer activity, considered one of the largest deer smuggling operations in Texas history, according to officials.
Anyone who witnesses a fishing, wildlife, or boating violation in progress can call 1-800-792-GAME (4263) to report it to Operation Game Thief. Tips can also be sent via text or through the Texas OGT app.
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