The attorneys for a Glidden man, who is under investigation for alleged hunting violations, made their case Friday morning for the return of property seized by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) last month. The DNR executed a search warrant on Nov. 19 and seized three whitetail buck heads, an iPhone and 10 packages of processed venison from 38-year-old Joshua Ray Snyder. Snyder testified at the hearing that two of the heads were harvested last year and one from two years ago. The DNR initiated an investigation on Nov. 13 after a photo of Snyder posing with a large buck killed in Taylor County was posted to social media. Authorities claim he failed to report that harvest within the state-mandated time frame and may have poached the animal. Snyder filed a motion in District Court for Carroll County on Dec. 4, which requested the seized property be returned to him. William Kutmus, one of the attorneys representing Snyder, argued the DNR cited the improper law when requesting a search warrant.
A new law, introduced by State Representative, Greg Heartsill, went into effect earlier this year. It requires the DNR to return property related to wildlife if they do not get a conviction, and, as of Friday, no charges had been brought against Snyder. Kutmus said the new law provides more specific guidelines, which means it takes priority, according to Iowa law.
Carroll County Attorney, John Werden, resisted Snyder’s motion. During the hearing, he argued conservation officers are certified peace officer and are not required to return evidence seized that is part of an ongoing investigation. Kenny Snyder, Joshua’s father and a longtime member of the Carroll County Conservation Board, declined to comment on the pending investigation. Judge, Gary McMinimee, did not make a ruling Friday and indicated he would make a decision at a later date.
