Clinton County man faces 50 counts of firearm and wildlife violations
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Thomas House, 26, was arraigned Thursday, July 23, in 65A District Court in St. Johns on 50 counts of combined firearm and wildlife violations.
House lived in Elsie when the violations occurred and now resides in St. Johns.
The Clinton County man was charged with:
-- Felony weapons offenses (five counts).
-- Reckless use of a firearm (one count).
-- Possessing an uncased firearm in a vehicle (three counts).
-- Taking game from a vehicle (six counts).
-- Shining with a weapon in possession (six counts).
-- Wildlife Conservation Order violations, including taking game without a license, improper method of take and taking game out of season (29 counts).
"This case demonstrates the importance of the public's partnership with conservation officers," said Capt. David Malloch, DNR Law Enforcement Division supervisor. "A tip to the Report All Poaching hotline, combined with the officers’ thorough and lengthy investigation, helped hold an individual accountable for their actions that showed a blatant disregard for wildlife and hunting laws. We encourage anyone who witnesses suspicious natural resources activity to report it immediately. We all play a role in protecting our natural resources.”
Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers received a tip through the DNR's Report All Poaching Hotline Oct. 13, 2025, regarding a person shooting deer from a vehicle at night using a suppressed semiautomatic rifle.
The tip stated that the illegal hunting activity occurred multiple times in northern Clinton County and southern Gratiot County.
Conservation officers conducted a lengthy investigation, which included interviews and search warrants issued by the Clinton County Prosecutor's Office.
The investigation confirmed that between April 25, 2025, and Nov. 25, 2025, House would drive around at night, shining and shooting deer from his vehicle and then leaving the deer to rot, unharvested.
Additionally, House used his cellphone to record several videos and photographs of himself shooting and killing the deer, along with the deer lying on the ground.
The case was forwarded to both the Clinton County and Gratiot County prosecutor's offices for review. Most of the incidents occurred in Clinton County.
Investigations like these are part of the daily work of Michigan conservation officers. These fully licensed law enforcement officers provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety and protect residents through general law enforcement and lifesaving operations in the communities they serve.
Learn more at Michigan.gov/ConservationOfficers.
To report a natural resource crime, call/text the Report All Poaching Hotline at 1-800-292-7800. Tipsters may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.