Cresco Man Faces More Than 40 Wildlife Charges

CRESCO, Iowa – Two Cresco men were taken to the Howard County Jail following a search warrant at their home Monday afternoon that resulted in wildlife or drug charges.  The arrests were a culmination of a six week investigation that began from an anonymous tip.

Daniel Wildman, 21, was charged with seven counts of unlawful possession of buck deer and faces up to 42 wildlife charges.  Liquidate damages and fines could exceed $22,000.  Wildman was already barred from purchasing a hunting license before this incident. If convicted of the current charges, Wildman could lose his hunting privileges for up to an additional five years. He was on probation when he was arrested.

Steven Wildman, 23, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Seven conservation officers from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources served the warrant at the Wildman home and seized 13 deer racks, five firearms, one muskrat and one raccoon from Daniel Wildman. Officers seized a quantity of marijuana and drug paraphernalia from Steven Wildman.  

All subjects are considered innocent until proved guilty in a court of law.

The Iowa DNR was assisted by the Iowa State Patrol, Cresco Police Department, the Howard County Sheriff's Office, the Howard County Attorney's Office, and a Winneshiek County Deputy and drug dog.