A 28-year-old Linton man, previously convicted as a serious violent felon, appeared in court Dec. 7 for an initial hearing on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, hunting without a license, hunting deer with excess cartridges, and providing false information to a check station following a November incident. 

Brandon Roudebush was arrested by Indiana Conservation Officer Cole Hollingsworth on Nov. 26 on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, hunting wild animals without a license, providing false information to a check station, and hunting deer with excess cartridges. 

According to a probable cause affidavit written by Hollingsworth, he encountered two hunters – one was Roudebush – hunting on private land on Nov. 26. Roudebush was carrying a Rossi .44-magnum caliber lever action rifle, located with 13 .44-magnum cartridges. Hollingsworth noted in the probable cause that per state law, hunters can possess no more than 10 rounds of firearm ammunition while hunting deer with rifles. 

Hollingsworth wrote in the probable cause affidavit he had previous knowledge that Roudebush was a convicted serious violent felon. In 2013, he was convicted of dealing a Schedule I, II, III controlled substance. 

According to the probable cause, Hollingsworth had been provided anonymous information that Roudebush had killed other deer and checked them in using a different name. 

When asked how many deer had been harvested from the property this season, Roudebush, according to the probable cause, Roudebush said six. He alleged he’d shot four – two with a bow and two with the rifle. The other two, he alleged, had been shot by the hunter with him. 

Roudebush, according to the probable cause affidavit, told Hollingsworth he checked in the two deer harvested with the firearm under his wife’s name. After checking his wife’s Access Indiana Fish and Wildlife account, Hollingsworth confirmed the two deer were checked in under her name. 

Roudebush’s rifle as well as a firearm he admitted was in his vehicle were seized by Hollingsworth, per the probable cause affidavit. 

He was transported to Greene County Jail where his bond was set at $15,000 surety with 10% cash allowed. He was released after posting $1,500.