Georgia Man Sentenced to 8 Years for Florida Hunting Lease Fraud

An elaborate fraud scheme that targeted Florida hunters across 15 counties has landed a Georgia man an eight-year prison sentence, following a detailed investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Rodney E. Smith, 39, of Georgia, orchestrated the multi-county operation while he was actually incarcerated inside a Georgia prison, according to investigators. By negotiating lease terms and collecting deposits from unsuspecting victims, Smith managed to defraud Florida hunters out of thousands of dollars over a ten-month period starting July 1, 2025, and running through April 30, 2026, weartv.com reported.

Extradition and Guilty Pleas in Gilchrist County

The case moved forward on May 7 when FWC investigators officially filed felony charges against Smith. Authorities secured a warrant and extradited him from the Georgia facility to Gilchrist County on August 16 to face the mounting allegations.

Faced with the evidence, Smith pleaded guilty to four distinct felonies. The charges included three third-degree felonies—one count each of scheme to defraud less than $20,000, illegal use of a two-way communication device, and cheating—alongside a first-degree felony for fraudulently offering property for sale or lease.

Georgia Man Sentenced to 8 Years for Florida Hunting Lease Fraud — Photo: fox49.tv

A hunting lease represents a formal agreement allowing a hunter access to private land under mutually agreed terms between the landowner and the sportsman.

“The FWC recognizes the important role hunting leases play in Florida’s outdoor economy,” said Major James Barrow of the Statewide Investigations and Intelligence Section, as reported by weartv.com. “We will continue to work with our partners to protect landowners’ ability to manage their property and benefit from these opportunities.”

Smith Receives Eight Years in Prison

On October 28, the legal proceedings concluded when Smith received his eight-year sentence in a Florida state prison. FWC officials acknowledged the crucial support provided by the Florida Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution throughout the investigative and prosecutorial phases.

Authorities continue to urge anyone with knowledge of wildlife and resource violations to utilize the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922) or to file a confidential report online at MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert.

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