Charges Dropped After Navy Vet Defends Family from Nearby Gunfire

Our client, a Navy veteran and retired pilot, had recently relocated to northern Michigan with his wife and adopted grandsons. While repairing windows on his walk-out basement, he heard what sounded like explosions followed by multiple gunshots, seemingly within 100 yards of the house.

Concerned for the safety of the children, he fired two rounds into the ground to alert whoever was nearby. Several young men then emerged from the woods, explaining they had been duck hunting.

Our client called 911 and cooperated fully with a responding federal conservation officer, who advised him not to fire warning shots again. However, unbeknownst to him, the hunters included the son of a local conservation sergeant and a state trooper trainee. They later contacted the poaching hotline, alleging interference with a lawful hunt.

The prosecutor charged our client with interfering with a legal hunt. Despite our attempts to resolve the matter with a civil infraction, the prosecution refused to reduce the charge, even after witness statements supported our client’s account.

After preparing for trial, and following months of litigation, the case was dismissed without explanation just days before the final pretrial conference. Our client was never convicted, and his hunting and fishing rights remained intact.