After the soldiers reportedly landed a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter on personal land in Sweet Grass County, Montana, and removed deer horns from the house, three members of the Montana Army National Guard were charged with criminal trespass.
The three Montana Army National Guard members were charged with” Criminal Trespass to Property” on Tuesday in the Sweet Grass County Justice Court, according to The Big Timber Pioneer. The National Guard people were identified as 30-year-old Perry Wray Woodland, 30-year-old Michael Vincent Bray, and 36-year-old Deni Lynn Draper.
According to The Big Timber Pioneer, the National Guard members are accused of “entering posted personal property for the purpose of deer ornament retrieval.” According to the source, Bray’s reference also states that he “landed a military helicopter on personal property.”
Linda McMullen, a 71-year-old farmer who owns the property on which the helicopter crew reportedly trespassed, explained to The Big Timber Pioneer that she was informed of the event by her companions, who informed her that an Army aircraft was “picking up moose horns” on her property.
Major General J. Peter Hronek, adjutant general of the Montana National Guard, said in a speech made public on Wednesday that” I am aware of an alleged incident involving a Montana Army National Guard helicopter landing on private property without license.”
According to Hronek,” An inside investigation is underway, and correct negative and/or operational activity will take place if the claims are determined to be real.”
MORE: Black Hawk aircraft disobeyed instructions before colliding with another person.
The Montana National Guard’s state public affairs commander, Major Ryan Finnegan, said in a statement obtained by The Big Timber Pioneer,” The crew reportedly landed on private house and collected antlers.” A local landowner witnessed the incident and reported it to a game warden at Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.
Finnegan continued,” I had a chance to talk to our senior pilot who was in contact with the landowner.” They sound as though they have spoken twice. He emailed to request an in-person apology and to coordinate the return of the goods.
McMullen confirmed to The Big Timber Pioneer that she had spoken with a National Guard official who had confirmed that they would meet the landowner “in person and bring back the antlers.”
McMullen noted that National Guard leaders and a former law enforcement official had asked her to refrain from filing charges against the three National Guard members.
They used the justification [that ] these guys are good guys, and I don’t want to ruin their careers,” McMullen said. Before doing this, they ought to have considered that. I believe that people need to be aware that this is happening.
