A hunter in Virginia is facing jail time and more after pleading guilty to killing a beloved deer on the premises of the historic Hollywood Cemetery. The hunter, Jason Walters of Richmond, Virginia, pleaded guilty to all 20 misdemeanors and will receive fines and restitution totaling over $13,000. Walters has been sentenced to a total of 80 months, with 76 of those suspended, and will serve a four-month jail sentence in Richmond Jail. Furthermore, Walters’ hunting license has been revoked for 100 years, with 75 years suspended, meaning a minimum of 25 years of active loss of his license.
In addition to Walters, another hunter, Alan Proffitt, was involved in killing the beloved “Hollywood Buck.” Proffitt pleaded guilty to all six charges and received a $250 fine on five counts. He also received a six-month jail sentence, with five months suspended. Proffitt’s hunting license privileges were revoked for 5 years, with 4 years suspended on each count, resulting in a 6-year loss of his hunting privileges. Both hunters were also required to maintain good behavior and obey all laws of the Commonwealth and the City of Richmond.
The story made headlines after photos of the giant buck killed by Virginia hunters were posted on a Facebook page run by Jeff Phillips called Star City Whitetails. The buck contest held by Phillips during deer season in Virginia led to hunters sending in photos of their biggest prizes. Walters, one of the hunters involved in the killing, had initially shared photos of his accomplishment with Phillips, unaware of the consequences it would lead to.
The unusual 29-point whitetail killed by Walters was immediately recognized as the legendary “Hollywood Buck” that resided near Hollywood Cemetery because of its distinctive antlers. The backlash against the poacher began when internet users identified the buck that frequented the cemetery, turning congratulatory messages to outrage. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources reached out to Phillips for information on Walters and the photos, leading to an investigation that confirmed the buck had been killed illegally.
The Hollywood Buck had roamed the grounds of Hollywood Cemetery for years and become a favorite creature of those in the neighborhood. The size and recognition of the buck made it beloved, as it was one of the few deer living in the cemetery without any hunting. Phillips, the Facebook page host, expressed surprise that Walters had killed the renowned buck and shared photos, leading to the hunter’s apprehension. While the circumstances were not ideal, Phillips was grateful that his page played a crucial role in catching the poacher.
Phillips hoped that the consequences faced by Walters would change the way he operated in the future. While the situation was unfortunate, Phillips acknowledged that his Facebook page and its followers were instrumental in aiding the law enforcement investigation. The illegal killing of the Hollywood Buck was a serious violation of Virginia’s wildlife laws and became a priority for conservation police officers. Overall, the arrest of the hunters involved in the killing of the beloved “Hollywood Buck” highlighted the importance of wildlife protection and enforcing hunting regulations.
