4 Southbury Residents Accused Of Illegal Hunting Practices: DEEP

SOUTHBURY, CT — Four Southbury residents are accused of illegal hunting practices and have been arrested by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection EnCon Police with the assistance of US Fish and Wildlife Service, officials announced Tuesday. The arrests are a result of a two-month-long investigation.

The investigation began after Mihali Marnelakis, 20, Eftihios Marnelakis, 23, and Jacob Parsell, 22, were arrested by DEEP EnCon Police on October 22, 2018 for multiple violations to include, loaded weapon in a motor vehicle and jacklighting, officials said. Jacklighting is the practice of shining a light at night in an effort to spot animals for hunting and the light freezes them, which makes it easier for hunters.

DEEP EnCon Police say they continued their investigation and later obtained search warrants for the cell phones of the three individuals which resulted in further evidence of illegal jacklighting activity.

A search warrant for the residence of Mihali and Eftihios resulted in corroborating evidence of illegal deer jacklighting activity, officials said. During the week of Jan. 6 Mihali Marnelakis, Eftihios Marnelakis, Jacob Parsell, and Ryan Smith, 30, turned themselves into Troop A after being advised of active arrest warrants, officials say.

See related: 3 Illegal Deer Hunters From Southbury Arrested: State DEEP

Mihali Marnelakis was charged with the following violations; Making false statement, Interfering w/ officer, Jacklighting Deer, Failure to report deer kill, Conspiracy to commit Negligent hunting 2nd degree, Conspiracy to commit Negligent hunting 3rd degree, Conspiracy to commit Negligent hunting 4th degree, Conspiracy to commit Illegal sale of game. Mihali was released on a $10,000 court set surety bond with a court date of January 17th 2019 at GA4 Waterbury.

Eftihios Marnelakis was charged with the following violations; Making false statement, Interfering w/ officer, Illegal transport of deer killed or hit by m/v without permit, Violation of conditions of release 2nd degree, Jacklighting Deer, Failure to report deer kill, Negligent hunting 2nd degree, Negligent hunting 3rd degree, Negligent hunting 4th degree, Conspiracy to commit Negligent hunting 2nd degree, Conspiracy to commit Negligent hunting 3rd degree, Conspiracy to commit Negligent hunting 4th degree, Conspiracy to commit Illegal sale of game. Eftihios was released on a $10,000 court set surety bond with a court date of January 17th 2019 at GA4 Waterbury.

Jacob Parsell was charged with the following violations; Making false statement, Interfering w/ officer, Jacklighting Deer, Failure to report deer kill, Conspiracy to commit Negligent hunting 2nd degree, Conspiracy to commit Negligent hunting 3rd degree, Conspiracy to commit Negligent hunting 4th degree, Conspiracy to commit Illegal sale of game. Jacob was released on a $10,000 court set surety bond with a court date of January 17th 2019 at GA4 Waterbury.

Ryan Smith was charged with the following violations; Interfering w/ officer, Illegal transport of deer killed by motor vehicle w/o permit, Conspiracy to commit Negligent hunting 2nd degree, Conspiracy to commit Negligent hunting 3rd degree, Conspiracy to commit Negligent hunting 4th degree, Conspiracy to commit illegal sale of game. Ryan was released on a $10,000 court set surety bond with a court date of January 17th 2019 at GA4 Waterbury.

Photos via CT DEEP EnCon Police