News Release

FWC officers and dogs find hunting evidence, get a confession

November 13, 2009
Contact: Carol Pratt, 850-251-2212

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) received a report Tuesday about shots heard at a popular hunting location on private property in East Naples. Calls like this are not uncommon, but certainly worth investigating. When Lt. Joshua Caraker of the FWC arrived at the scene, a man later identified as Joseph Decoil (DOB 09/04/58) was leaving.

At the private property off Auto Ranch Road, Caraker saw a pair of binoculars next to a gate and footprints going into the property. He called for the assistance of FWC K-9 officers Felix Collazo and Matt Griffith, and they arrived within 20 minutes.

"I knew something was up. No one intentionally leaves binoculars behind, and there were fresh tracks," Caraker said. "I also knew that the K-9 unit could quickly help me find out what was going on."

As Caraker waited for the K-9 units, two men in a white car passed by. Later, one of the men in the car returned and told Caraker he had dropped off the other man at a pick-up truck at a house down the road. Caraker went to the house and contacted an occupant, who identified the truck's passenger as Decoil, who lives in Golden Gate Estates.

On the way to Decoil's house, Caraker learned that Officer Griffith and his dog, Tucker, now at the site of the property, had located three dead deer and a knife used on the deer. The deer and knife were hidden under palmetto leaves. With this knowledge, Caraker was prepared to confront the suspect about the discovery.

"When you are questioning someone about a crime, obviously it is good to know as much about it as possible," Caraker said. "Thanks to the K-9 units, I knew going in that there was a good chance the man had killed the deer."

Caraker went to Decoil's house and met with him. After learning about the evidence that the K-9 units discovered, Decoil admitted to killing the three deer.

Decoil agreed to return to the private property and, once there, showed Caraker where he had left his rifle, insect repellent and a fanny pack. He also admitted he had killed and hidden the three deer the K-9 had found.

"He knew there was no point in denying what we had," Caraker said. "Denying the facts would only make the situation worse."

Decoil was charged with possession of over the bag limit of antlerless deer and harvesting (the deer) in a closed area. The property owner did not want to press charges for trespass.