CAPRON—Officials with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries used a whitetail deer decoy to catch three people illegally searching for deer on Friday and Saturday nights in Southampton County.

“It’s illegal to use a spotlight on deer after sunset without permission from the landowner, and at no time can you cast lights on a field while in possession of a firearm,” said J.T. Worrell, supervisor for the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries’ district that serves Isle of Wight and Southampton counties.

The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries on Thursday received a complaint about someone shooting after dark at Pope Station and Indiantown roads. Officials the next night set up the decoy.

The first night, a suspect was caught shining a light on the decoy while in possession of a muzzleloader, Worrell said. He did not have the paperwork to identify the suspect, but indicated he lives in North Carolina.

At 11:30 p.m. Saturday at the same location, Travis Wade Hollowell, 27, of Elizabeth City, N.C., was accused of shining a light on the decoy. Hollowell had a .270 caliber rifle with him. He also was cited for being a felon who is not permitted to have a gun. Hollowell faces five years in prison for the firearm offense.

His passenger, Jeremy Keith Lassiter, 26, also of Elizabeth City, was also charged with illegal spotlighting.

“He was in the truck with him, (which makes him a suspect),” Worrell said.