MECHANICSVILLE — Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) have arrested and charged a Mechanicsville man for interfering with hunters and other criminal charges in St. Mary’s County on New Years Day.
After receiving complaints of hunter harassment, NRP set up surveillance in the area of Morgan Brothers Road near Cremona. There they saw Allan Eugene Pulliam, 37, verbally confronting goose hunters near his property. The goose hunters were hunting legally and were not on Pulliam’s property. According to officers, Pulliam drove back and forth on the property line in his truck and discharged numerous rounds from a .30-30 rifle. After NRP officers made contact with Pulliam, marijuana was discovered in his truck.
Pulliam was charged with Interfering with Hunters, Loaded Weapon in a Vehicle, Reckless Endangerment, Disturbance of the Public Peace and Possessing a Controlled Dangerous Substance (marijuana). Pulliam was transported to the District Court Commissioner in Leonardtown. St. Mary’s County Sheriffs Department assisted NRP with the incident.
The .30-30 rifle was seized as evidence. Interfering with hunters and having a loaded weapon in a vehicle both have a maximum fine of $1,500. In addition, if found guilty, a person may lose the privilege to hunt in the state for a period of 2 to 5 years and all evidence seized can be forfeited to the state.
NRP reminds the public that interfering intentionally with the lawful taking of wildlife by another person or harass, drive or disturb any game animal intentionally for the purpose of disrupting a lawful hunt is illegal.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is an enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources. With an authorized strength of 214 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the Natural Resources Police provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to Maryland citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 435,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, as well as Maryland's wildlife and fishery species for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, the department manages natural, historic and cultural resources that attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority.