Major Southwest Florida Fraudulent Turkey Hunting Scheme Uncovered
Four Southwest Florida men were arrested after their fraudulent turkey hunting scheme was uncovered by FWC officials. The men were engaged in a business to defraud hunters looking to hunt Florida’s prized Osceola turkey.
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.
Fraudulent Turkey Hunting Scheme
Here’s what they were doing. 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.
The scheme involved Collins, who operated the Razzor Ranch Blanket Hunting Preserve in Hardee County, and Mills, who managed a game farm in Charlotte County where the nonwild turkeys were raised. Mills and Beckham acted as guides, leading the hunts, while Flowers, owner of Skins and Scales Taxidermy, mounted the fraudulent turkeys for the victims. Collins received kickbacks from Flowers for referring taxidermy business.
Collins fraudulently advertised, promoted and scheduled “Osceola” turkey hunting in Charlotte and Hardee counties. Collins accepted money for the hunts and then coordinated with his hunting guides (co-conspirators Beckham and Mills) to guide the unsuspecting victims to hunting locations to hunt a nonwild, pen-raised turkey. The pen-raised nonwild turkeys were bred and raised by Collins to appear as Osceola turkeys.
Four Men Arrested
The charges filed against the defendants are as follows:
Vernon Robert Flowers (DOB 07/28/1952) of Naples: Organized Fraud, Conspiracy to Commit Organized Fraud.
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.
“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.
For more information on turkey hunting in Florida, consult the FWC website.
3 of The Top Attractions in the US Are In Florida
The 2024 Travelers’ Choice® Awards Best of the Best Things to Do list is out and there’s a reason why so many people vacation in Florida. 25 of the most loved top attractions in the US made the list, highlighting the highest rated experiences and attractions around the world and in the US based on Tripadvisor reviews.
What’s number one? The Empire State Building in New York City climbed to the top as the No. 1 attraction, not just in the US, but globally. Reviewers are wowed by the 360-degree view of New York, where they can point out all of their favorite landmarks and see up to six states on a clear day. Over 300 reviews deem it a “once in a lifetime” experience and more than 8,000 5-star reviews put this tourist spot on top. Another New York iconic spot also made the top 3 top attractions in the US list.
Top Attractions in the US
- Empire State Building, New York City, New York
- Iolani Palace, Honolulu, Hawaii
- Central Park, New York City, New York
Kristen Dalton, President of Tripadvisor states “Experiences make a trip, and our Best of the Best Things to Do Awards offer some of the highest-rated activities from across the world, highlighted by our community of travelers. Whether you’re a thrill seeker or a leisurely explorer, the ‘Best of the Best’ badge has the seal of approval from global travelers as a source of inspiration for an unforgettable vacation.”
Top Attractions in Florida
Florida still maintains itself as a major tourist destination with 3 of the top attractions in the US being here in the Sunshine State. As a 20 year resident of Florida, I love doing touristy things, but I’m kind of disappointed in myself. I’ve not been to any of these 3 attractions. Yet.
