Game Warden, Attorney Face Trespassing Charges

By David Johnson
The Leader

Charges are pending against a Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks law enforcement officer and a Cleveland attorney for trespassing with intent to hunt, according to documents obtained by the Sunday Leader.

Affidavits filed by a private landowner obtained by the newspaper were filed Wednesday in Bolivar County Justice Court alleging that MDWFP game enforcement officer Jimmy Russell and Cleveland attorney James Walker trespassed with intent to hunt on posted property at Donaldson Point near the town of Gunnison in western Bolivar County.

Donaldson Point is home to one of the most exclusive hunting clubs on the Mississippi River. The property on which the twosome have been accused of trespassing, however, is an 80-acre parcel that is not part of the hunting club.

The affidavit states that Jimmy Russel and James Walker “did willfully and knowingly enter upon the lands” of the private land owner without permission “with intent to hunt without permission.”

“This incident occurred during turkey season,” the affidavit goes on to state.

The landowner went on to state in court documents that the two men were “fully camouflaged,” wearing hunting vests with turkey decoys slung over their shoulders and armed with guns when he happened upon them some 400-500 yards inside his property line.

The landowner, who was turkey hunting, said he could hear turkeys gobbling on the roost close by.

After identifying themselves, “the two men quickly turned around and walked away,” the affidavit states.

A court date has been set for 9 a.m. on April 29 at the Bolivar County Courthouse in Rosedale.