FWC charges Georgia man accused of defrauding Florida hunters through fraudulent hunting lease advertisements

Florida – A Georgia man who was already serving time in prison in his home state is facing felony charges in Florida after investigators say he organized an elaborate scheme targeting hunters with fraudulent hunting lease advertisements.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said investigators filed charges on May 7 against Rodney Edward Smith, 39, of Chatsworth, Georgia, in Gilchrist County. Smith is accused of using fake online advertisements to offer hunting leases on properties he did not own or control.

According to the FWC, the alleged scheme operated from July 1, 2025, through April 30, 2026, and targeted Florida hunters in multiple counties.

At the time, Smith was incarcerated at Macon State Prison in Oglethorpe, Georgia, where he was serving a sentence connected to false imprisonment and other charges. Investigators say that did not prevent him from allegedly carrying out the Florida fraud operation.

Instead, Smith reportedly used smuggled cell phones, multiple online identities, social media accounts and dozens of telephone numbers to communicate with potential victims. Through those channels, investigators say he advertised hunting leases for land he had no authority to rent.

A hunting lease is an agreement that gives hunters permission to access private property and hunt there under specific terms established with the landowner. Such agreements can be an important part of Florida’s hunting community, making legitimate access to private land valuable to hunters.

Investigators say Smith used that system to negotiate lease arrangements with unsuspecting customers and collect deposits from them. The alleged victims were located across 15 Florida counties, and the FWC said hunters lost thousands of dollars as a result.

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The case goes beyond the financial losses, according to FWC officials, who said fraudulent hunting leases can also undermine relationships between legitimate hunters and landowners.

“By offering fraudulent hunting leases, he not only stole from Florida citizens, but also damaged the trust between hunters and landowners that is essential to Florida’s hunting tradition,” said Lt. Col Randy Bowlin, FWC Deputy Director of Law Enforcement over Investigations and Intelligence. “Our officers remain committed to protecting the public and resources by supporting lawful hunting opportunities across the state.”

Smith was later transferred from Georgia to Florida. On Aug. 16, he was extradited from the Georgia prison to Florida on a warrant connected to the case.

He faces four felony counts. The charges include fraudulently offering property for sale or lease, a first-degree felony; a scheme to defraud involving less than $20,000, a third-degree felony; illegal use of a two-way communication device, also a third-degree felony; and cheating, another third-degree felony.

Bond was set at $700,000.

The investigation involved cooperation between authorities in Florida and Georgia. The FWC credited the Florida Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution with assisting in the case.

The agency also thanked the Georgia Department of Corrections and the Dalton Police Department in Georgia for their support during the investigation and extradition process.

The allegations serve as a reminder for hunters to be cautious when arranging access to private property, particularly when the initial contact takes place through online advertisements or social media.

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The FWC encourages anyone who becomes aware of suspected wildlife or natural resource violations to report them. The agency provides several ways for the public to submit information, including the FWC Wildlife Alert app, the Wildlife Alert Hotline and an online reporting system.

Tips can be submitted by calling 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922) or through the Wildlife Alert section of the FWC website.

The investigation into Smith’s alleged activity highlights the challenges authorities face when fraud is conducted remotely and through multiple digital identities. In this case, investigators say the alleged scheme continued despite Smith being physically incarcerated in another state.

The charges now move the case into the Florida criminal justice system, where Smith will face the allegations connected to the hunting lease scheme. The charges are allegations, and the case will proceed through the courts.