Indiana Conservation Officers (ICO) have arrested three individuals after they illegally shot a deer from a roadway in rural Sullivan County.

Biak Sang, 34; Hrang Lian, 30; and Ro Hmung Lian, 32; all of Indianapolis, face misdemeanor charges of illegal taking of a white-tailed deer, hunting with the aid of a motor conveyance, jacklighting, shooting from a public roadway, and hunting without the consent of the landowner.

Saturday at approximately 8:15 p.m., ICO Matt Landis was following up on citizen complaints of night hunting in the area of County Road 400 East and County Road 550 North when he heard a shot from nearby and saw a vehicle leaving the area. During a traffic stop, Landis observed three rifles and a spotlight in the vehicle that was being driven by Hrang Lian, its only occupant.

With the help of additional ICOs, a Sullivan City police officer, a Sullivan County sheriff’s deputy, and an Indiana state trooper, Sang and Ro Hmung Lian were located in the area on foot.

Officers found the poached deer using an Indiana State Police drone equipped with thermal imaging and ICO K-9 Fin. Meat from the deer was donated to a local family.

All suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Assisting agencies include Indiana State Police, Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department, and Sullivan City Police.